
One of Hartford, Connecticut’s most recognizable buildings is undergoing an ironic modification. The G. Fox building once was the home to a multi-story department store from which you could buy almost anything. I remember shopping at G. Fox when I worked in downtown Hartford in the early 80s.
G. Fox’s flagship store was gradually robbed of its glory. First by suburban malls and then by a chain of mergers until this store was closed and then the G. Fox brand was lost within the Macy’s empire. Today, Internet sales threaten to erase Macy’s and perhaps department stores from the retail space.
Recently, the store has been home to a community college, in an attempt to bring some youthful energy back into Hartford. Education, of a different sort promises to add to this success:
“An array of workshops, computer labs and art studios are being built up inside the iconic G. Fox and Co. building, the new site of Connecticut’s largest makerspace.”
The building will soon be transformed from a place to buy readymade clothing, furniture, artwork and jewelry to a space for do-it-yourselfers make those same products.
“Like other DIY collectives, MakerspaceCT plans to offer classes, equipment and work space for a wide range of traditional crafts and trades — including blacksmithing, welding, woodworking, jewelry making, ceramics and sewing — as well as digital skills, such as 3D printing, computer-controlled routing and engineering…”
With luck, this space will bring a kind of energy into downtown that the city hasn’t seen in many years. The idea that people can work together, face-to-face, collaborating over tools and workbenches instead of computer screens makes me smile. I don’t seem to be the only one smiling. According to one of the organizers:
“We definitely want to bring in the arts because these are inextricably linked and intertwined with innovation and manufacturing,” … “The collaboration you see at other makerspaces is heartwarming, to see people who normally live in different worlds working together to further a project or an idea.”
Check out the full article here.
The “We are the World” Blogfest is in its tenth month of a year-long journey. This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts are: Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo.
#WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time between now and February of 2018.
Now this really makes me smile. 😀👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew you would like this post. I can picture you in the mix of people who will occupy this building.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww wish I could!
LikeLike
Sounds like a good idea to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! I wish them all the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an awesome way to use the space, Dan…for art, for training, for people to find success in a hobby or future employment. Kudos to Hartford for being creative and forward thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s a great way to bring young people into the city, and that’s what they need. Older people who work there just commute in and out, they rarely stay and take advantage of what the city has to offer.
LikeLike
This is a wonderful way to utilize a building with so much history and character built into it. I enjoy knowing that not all cities are focused on tearing down what was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ally. Hartford has done it’s share of destruction. It’s good to see people becoming interested in preserving the historical architecture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world may run on “1s” and “0s” but it’s heart will always rest with the arts. Glad to see a resurgence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! I was particularly happy to see courses in blacksmithing. I might take one after I retire from the world of 1’s and 0’s :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
How refreshing to see your community recognizing the future potential of the G. Fox building, and in such an innovative way. It’s so sad to see these old buildings left abandoned only to die a slow death or just demolished.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am very happy to see this. The city is in a terrible financial situation, and I doubt they could do much to preserve these buildings on their own. I hope this is a success.
LikeLike
What a great use of this space. All a downtown needs is a bit of energy to get it back to its glory again. This sounds wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Lois. And, there’s nothing like young creative people to infuse energy into a city.
LikeLike
That’s a great transformation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I think so too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great way to utilize a facility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed – I hope it’s successful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I hope it all goes well. TGIF hugs, Dan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teagan. Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dan – this is a great read … there seem to be more of these sort of community minded workplaces springing up – and they seem to be developing … cannot be anything but good – cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Hilary. This is the second one in the Hartford area. I think they’re having some success. This is a big step. I hope it works well for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a creative use of the space! I hope their success is far beyond what even they imagined! We have a Makerspace close to us and I’ve always been tempted to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope to get a chance to check this out, maybe this summer. It’s about 2 blocks away from our new ballpark, so maybe an outing to see this space and take in a ball game.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Dan – What a great way to repurpose a historic building and connect a community. I like your idea of combining a ball game with a trip to check out this space. If you do, please let us know your thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always had an interest in blacksmithing ;-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a brilliant idea. I hope it’s a HUGE success.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it pans out. The direction intended is downright inspiring, and I’m glad you shared it with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. There are so many people who could benefit from this kind of training and support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds cool to me, too, Dan. I’d love to see the finished project.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope to tour the space, maybe in the summer.
LikeLike
Bringing in the arts, collectively, makes me smile, too. Thanks, Dan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was sure you would like this story, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dan! You were right. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all about finding the ways that people learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m adding my voice to the chorus of those who love this – not only because it breathes new life into an old building, but because learning is a good thing – especially when it involves skills that add both beauty and value to our lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joanne. I hope to tour the place once it’s operational and maybe see what’s going on inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love this idea and the fact that historic buildings live on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I think it’s a great way to keep this building alive.
LikeLike
“The idea that people can work together, face-to-face, collaborating over tools and workbenches instead of computer screens makes me smile.” I too, found myself smiling, Dan. I like that a beautiful and historic building is being remade from the inside out, and that people are remaking their skills and relationships in the mix. Thanks for sharing about being a part of our WATWB community.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Simon. I wish I had better pictures of the building. It has an Art Deco design and it really was (hopefully still is) very pretty inside. I hope they are successful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a new area which is trying to duplicate our High Street art galleries, studios and shops. It is in an area where tenements are, Franklinton. Both are in Columbus but the idea of living in taller buildings where many kinds of crafts, arts and wares will be made interested my brother Randy. He came down last year and found out it costs quite a lot to be there, even of starting at the ground level with no real plans or directions. I am excited to know the area has potential and won’t be left vacant anymore. Thanks for listening but I was excited about your G.Fox building and Makerspace CT. 😀 🎉 🖼 ✨
LikeLike
I do often wonder about the fees in these places. They are supposed to be helping people who are starting out. Hartford has some “Artist Lofts” but I know they are pretty expensive.
LikeLike
I guess funding for the arts may be less and less available. Meanwhile, Randy’s gallery is fairly close to the more active areas on the far west side of Cleveland.
Randy was an artist in residence at a school (or two) which the state has funds for this, or the school gets government grants. (Obviously, I don’t really know: oops!)
LikeLiked by 1 person