So... meta thread on unit economics. In LA, pre-Covid average rates were like $3/sf so a 1000 sf space would be 3k. I’d guess many of these ideas would only start to get interesting if it drops below $2/sf. What the picture in your city? https://hughesmarino.com/los-angeles/blog/2019/11/04/as-rents-continue-to-increase-cre-markets-remain-flat-in-los-angeles-for-q3/ https://twitter.com/vgr/status/1302282689844633601

Let’s assume $2000. Put in 3-4 slightly nicer 3d printers ($3000), a laser cutter ($3000), 2 electronics workbenches (decently kitted out at say 3k each... oscilloscope, bench supply, soldering iron...). A couple of supply storage cabinets, a good optical table... we’re at 50k.

If you had say 40 members paying $100/mo (~ mid-range gym), you have 4k revenue.

Variable costs: rent, utilities, insurance, cheaper supplies for free (solder, coffee). Assume 5% repair/maintenance/year so that’s another $200. Let’s say $1000. So $1k gross margin.

You’d make your capex outlay back in 48 months, not counting amortization tax benefit. So that’s $1000 free cash flow.

Maintaining 40 people membership at $100 would be quite hard though. But you could add 3 value-added services... coaching, simple outsourcing, and remote fab.

Think of these as members who offer other members and external people help. Basically like gym trainers who turn a profit on their membership fees without being underwritten by the space manager.

So I think small-scale makerspaces are a feasible use of converted retail below $2k

Unlike first-gen maker spaces that were larger destination communities and max a handful in a city, this could be scaled down to one in every neighborhood. Starbucks or 24x7 fitness level proliferation.

Hmm... this is a huge, well-equipped space at $150/mo membership. I wonder if this market naturally wants to aggregate or decentralize. https://twitter.com/davidralin/status/1302307626865233920