NextFab, a “gym for innovators” that provides members access to a variety of fabrication tools, celebrated the grand opening of its second location on Friday. The new outpost is on the first floor of Impact Hub Philadelphia, a socially-minded co-working space in the Fishtown neighborhood.
While the pairing of a business space with a workshop may seem odd to some, the match was well-made. The lovingly restored building at N. 4th and Thompson Streets was formerly occupied by 3rd Ward, a Brooklyn-founded (and now defunct) maker space.
“We learned that 3rd Ward had left a fair amount of equipment and some spaces fit out as workshops, and that Impact Hub was pondering what to do with them,” explains Evan Malone, president of NextFab. “Our working together seemed to be a logical solution.”
In addition to taking over unused space and equipment, Malone is also excited to be close to where people live and work — there is a large community of artists, designers and tinkerers in the Fishtown, Northern Liberties and Kensington communities.
“It's not as large as our Wash Avenue location, but it provides well-rounded wood and metal shops, and a very quiet and comfortable CAD and electronics lab,” enthuses Malone. “We are most excited that North 4th has NextFab's first shop dedicated to jewelry making and we have a professional jewelry designer on staff.”
Keep an eye on the NextFab website for special offers throughout the month in celebration of the new space and for partnership projects with Impact Hub later this year.
Writer: Hailey Blessing
Source: Evan Malone, NextFab