INDUSTRY CITY DEBUTS NEW RETAIL EXPERIENCE IN BROOKLYN

In a creative evolution of retail, a collection of artisan purveyors have come together at Brooklyn’s Industry City, the 6 million-square-foot creative campus, for a new-concept shopping experience called “The Makers Guild”.

The 25,000 square-foot space, located at 51 35th Street (Building 5, second floor) within Industry City’s sprawling, 35-acre creative campus, includes nine artisan-retail shops. Visitors to The Makers Guild have the opportunity to both observe artisan craft in motion and shop a wide range of specialty products made on-site.

“Products take on greater meaning when you understand how they’re made and you see and interact with those doing the creating,” said Jim Somoza, Industry City’s director of development. “The value of a product is found not just in its quality and use, but in its story. The Makers Guild gives shoppers the opportunity to discover those stories and feel a direct connection to both the product made in Brooklyn and the real people behind those same products.”

The artisan retail shops in The Makers Guild include Brooklyn Candle Studio vegan candles, Mr. Bodington stationery and greeting cards, The Wrap Life’s African head wraps and turbanettes, Saskia jewelry, Micol Ceramics, Mizutama botanical arrangements design shop, Mr. Kaves Pigtown Tattoo, Christophe Pourny antique furniture restoration studio, and Bee Raw environmentally sustainable honey company.

In addition to the permanent vendors, The Makers Guild also features a space for rotating pop-ups. Art collectives Observed and Court Tree Collective have activated the space for the launch. Additional pop-ups include photographer William Mullan’s Odd Apples photo studio and textile artist, Sebastien Courty. Visitors can view and shop a wide range of artworks and prints as part of the activation.

Added Somoza, “Nearly all of the businesses in The Makers Guild were already creating their products at Industry City; they just wanted a way to directly engage consumers. Part of the thinking behind The Makers Guild was inspired by that simple desire: ‘what’s created here should also be sold here.’”

At Industry City, The Makers Guild is part of a broader Brooklyn Design District and an innovation economy ecosystem that includes more than 550 companies that collectively employ 8,000 people.

In addition to The Makers Guild, the Brooklyn Design District at Industry City Roll & Hill, lighting designer and manufacturer, Rich Brilliant Willing, an LED lighting maker for hospitality, workplace and residential use; and Shakúff, a custom glass lighting and décor collective. Industry City’s design retailers include Design Within Reach, ABC Carpet & Home, RH Outlet, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, City Foundry, and Porcelanosa.

Industry City is accessible by the D, N, R trains and multiple bus routes including the B35 and B37. Parking is available at 37th and 2nd Avenue, along with bike racks and a CitiBike station.