RED HOOK — Brooklyn has no shortage of co-working spaces for freelancers and those shunning Midtown offices for desks in their neighborhoods — but what about the borough's legion of local artisans?
Enter Supersmith, a 7,000-square-foot shared workshop in a converted Red Hook warehouse for makers who use metal, wood, ceramic, leather and other materials to create their wares.
Located at 125 Dikeman St., between Van Brunt and Conover streets, Supersmith currently hosts 22 businesses. It recently opened a pop-up retail shop, called Shook + Co, to sell made-in-Brooklyn products, including those made by its resident-artists.
"We couldn't have found a better place," co-owner Natalie Shook said.
The shop, which will open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Dec. 23, carries brands like Surname Goods, Brooklyn Candle Studio, Wren Lab, Polt, Horse Brand Co. and Little Bear Pots.
Smaller pieces range from $25 to $350 while some furniture and custom-made items can cost thousands of dollars.
Shook + Co will close around the holidays but will reopen as a permanent store in spring 2016 with a similar line of products as well as a hardware component with tools, paints, and other minor renovation materials, Shook said.
Shook and her business partner Zach Blaue began working on the space in 2013 and completed construction this year. Even though Supersmith has been leasing its space for almost two years, it hosted its official launch party and the opening of Shook + Co last month.
The space is also available to rent for events and parties, Shook said.
The shared workshop features private studios, conference rooms, a wood-burning stove, storage and a central work space with machinery and tools for the local makers to use.
The heavy equipment, maintained by Shook and Blaue, can be too expensive for a small business owner to afford for their own work.
"It's too much for any business to get off the ground," Shook said. "We're just sharing the costs between all of us."
Shook anticipates having a few open spaces at Supersmith in the New Year. For details, email info@supersmith.org.
