MakerBot Industries, one of the pioneer commercial 3D printing companies, opened a retail store in NoHo, New York this past week. We decided to stop by to check out their new 3D printer, the Replicator 2, and see how the store is doing at its new home in the trendy downtown neighborhood.
Located at 298 Mulberry Street, the MakerBot store packs several Replicator 2′s along the north end of the wall, working away at their bigger and badder creations. Sample printed items are also scattered along the shelves, such as a visually stunning 3D head and various sizes of a squirrel model. The back wall contains all the different color filaments used in the Replicator 2, allowing the shop to print almost anything in any shade.
A quick chat with one of the store clerks verifies that the foot traffic the store has received since its grand opening last Thursday contains a mix of curious tourists and MakerBot fans. “It’s about 50/50 at this point,” the clerk says. “Most people come in and buy one of the [capsule toys with miniature 3D printed model inside].” This isn’t surprising, considering MakerBot machines run anywhere from $1,000 to $2,200 for the newest desktop 3D printer. Other items for sale include plastic filaments and a few commercial 3D printed gadgets, such as a MakerBot MixTape – an old school-meets-new technology way to send your crush a mixtape, just like high school kids used to a few decades ago.
One patron who goes by Roger says he’s been a fan of MakerBot since its inception, and was excited to see the store finally come to life. Never having printed any models of his own, it was fun for him to see the company grow commercially and watch from the sideline as MakerBot becomes more and more accessible to fans like him.
“I’ve done some 3D modeling,” he says, but admits to the lack of time and funding to 3D print his creations. “I think I’ll just buy one of the capsule toys [as memorabilia].” He continued on to discuss with his friends the future of 3D-printed smartphone cases you can make at home … if only the MakerBot machines were slightly more affordable. We could only dream of the days where, instead of traditional computer printers, we could get 3D printers with our college laptops as a back-to-school package. After all, isn’t that the future we’re headed toward?
The MakerBot store is open seven days a week and is easily on its way to becoming one of the hottest new attractions here in Silicon Alley. Who says downtown New York is only good for shopping?
Hello Natt Garun,
I really enjoyed reading your piece about “inside the maker bot store”and I have something else you might be interested in. I am an employee of Blu-Bin Inc, a 3D printing start-up that is about to open the doors of it’s first location. I thought that you might be interested in the standard press release we have been sending out for our opening day. Keep up the good work!
Poultney, VT September 28th, 2012–
Blu – Bin, Inc will be opening the doors of its first 3D printshop this Saturday the 29th. Blu – Bin is the first company to offer retail 3D printing design and creation services, and is excited to be introducing this new business model in Vermont. Working against the grain, Blu – Bin employees see 3D printing as a service that can benefit everyone even if they can’t afford the printer itself. Founded by Daniel Riley, alumni of Green Mountain College, the business seeks to fill the void left by larger 3D printing companies that have entirely ignored offering retail 3D printing design and creation services.
Customers will be able to order items designed and made in store, as well as providing their own designs for creation as part of a growing catalogue of designs the company has access too. Using a range of rapid manufacturing techniques, Blu – Bin creates a friendly environment for rapid design and creation of what it’s customers want. Through these services Blu-Bin seeks to advance the field of 3D printing, bringing it to the forefront in manufacturing and into mainstream American life.
With the first store being opened in Poultney, VT, Blu – Bin inc will be working with students and professors of Green Mountain College to demonstrate and test the capabilities of 3D printing through various unique projects.
Effectively creating an entirely new industry, Blu-Bin predicts a successful future, which will lead to expansion of the company into other cities and towns. Saturday will be the start of what the company hopes to be a bright and successful path towards a future filled with this innovative technology.