It's been two and a half years since Makeshift Society opened its doors on Gough Street. In that time, it's become a hub for creative professionals, a resource for the community, and a comfortable cozy space for freelancers to curl up with their laptops.
We checked in with founder Rena Tom to hear what Makeshift has been up to since it opened, and what's happening next.
Self-described as a "creative community and shared workspace," Makeshift offers a light-filled refuge for freelancers and small teams to work together. Although the space is targeted to creative professionals, within that definition there is a lot of diversity. Rena tells us there are writers, game designers, interior designers, coaches, and even a monk from the Zen Center around the corner.
The clientele may be diverse, but so is their use of the space. Many come in individually to work, though some teams use the space for group meetings. Makeshift has been home to headshot photo sessions, workshops, lectures, and even a residency program.
With slightly less than 1,000 square feet to work with, Rena shared with us that the space is almost ready to cap its membership. With some turnover there are both regulars and new faces, but more and more people are catching on to the benefits of co-working spaces. Right now, there are still openings, but down the line Makeshift may have a waiting list.
The biggest thing to happen since Makeshift San Francisco opened, however, is an expansion to the East Coast. Rena says that as soon as she opened Makeshift Society in San Francisco, she began thinking about where to expand to next. Requests through the site showed significant interest in Chicago and LA, but New York topped the charts.
Teaming up with partner Bryan Boyer, the pair began looking for a location. Like San Francisco, they wanted it to be on the ground floor, based in a neighborhood, and preferably filled with light. The result is a 4,000 square foot spot in Williamsburg that fit the bill perfectly.
Makeshift Society Brooklyn opened in May of last year. While it also caters to creative professionals, the clientele is slightly different from San Francisco's. Architects, graphic designers and typographers fill up the Brooklyn locale, and with four times the square footage, the space also has a different feel.
As to whether they'll expand elsewhere, Rena is hesitant. "The communities are all different," she said. If she were to open a space in LA it would have to have parking, and finding ground floor offices in urban cities is not always easy.
In the meantime, Makeshift Society in San Francisco is thriving. The upcoming weaving class is already sold out, though expect another one in a few weeks time. On February 20th there's a Creating From Your Own Obsessions workshop for those looking to get in touch with their artistic compulsions. An Open Studio Ceramic Workshop is taking place on February 22nd, and a writing workshop called Get Unstuck, Start Writing Again is happening on February 25th.
To learn more about Makeshift and membership, visit the website, or stop by 235 Gough St.
