
A couple years back, contemplating retirement coming up in the next 3 to 7 years, I thought about what I would like that to look like. I’ve always had some woodworking tools in my basement and loved building things and working on a lathe and thought, when I retire, I would put up a building in my backyard and make a great shop.
As I spoke to some friends and family that are also looking to retire in the next decade, I kept hearing similar plans by them, creating a shop in a garage or basement and do woodworking as a hobby when they retire. So, I decided a public space would be a great idea. Plus, how much fun would it be to have the camaraderie and sharing of techniques and projects with others that enjoy woodworking.
Our family has owned a farm in between East Troy and Mukwonago for over 100 years and as our family no longer farms the land ourselves, it got me thinking about building a great woodworking shop there where not only I can have the shop of my dreams but also allow others to use it as well. With the blessing of the family, I’ve parceled off a few acres of the property to start construction of the building.
Over the past year or so, I’ve thought about how to potentially make this shop work for both myself and the community that would also enjoy having a place and equipment to spend some time on their woodworking hobby. Many people have expressed interest including some that would just like to learn about woodworking. My daughter, Cortney, who homeschools her boys, also came up with the idea of holding classes for the homeschool community to teach their children woodworking (and little did I know they
no longer teach this in schools which is where I first learned about and began my love of woodworking).
So, I open the doors to you, my community, to come partake in your woodworking dreams. I can't wait to see where this will go!

My vision for the woodworking shop is to create a welcoming space where woodworking enthusiasts and artists can not only access quality tools and equipment, but also connect with one another, share ideas, trade techniques, and swap stories. The shop will be open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, giving members the freedom to use the shop whenever it best fits their schedules. I’ve also been fortunate to meet many skilled woodworkers who will offer a range of classes—perfect for beginners looking to learn the basics or experienced makers wanting to explore new tools and methods. To keep the shop accessible to everyone, I’ll offer a couple of membership options designed to be affordable whether you’re retired, a hobbyist, an artist, a student, or a small business owner.

We can't wait to see what you start creating in this space!
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