The Shop
Making & Fabrication
- 3D Printing
- Laser Cutting
- Electronics
- Woodworking
800–1,200 sqft
The Studio
Video Production
- Filming
- Editing
- Streaming
- Photography
600–800 sqft
The Booth
Audio Production
- Recording
- Mixing
- Podcasting
- Music
400–600 sqft
The Spaces.
Concept renderings of each department at Phase 1.
Department 1
The Shop — Making & Fabrication
Department 2
The Studio — Video Production
Department 3
The Booth — Audio Production
The Thesis.
Why this exists, and why it works.
I need workshop space. Rather than building a private workspace, I'm making it a retail offering in the community. The equipment pays for itself, there's a clear upgrade path as my skills improve, and Lancaster gets creative infrastructure it doesn't have.
The demand floor is me. I'm working in the space every day. Community members reduce my overhead. Everything above break-even funds equipment upgrades.
By the Numbers.
~$800
Monthly overhead
(The Shop alone)
(The Shop alone)
$6–13K
Phase 1 startup
(The Shop)
(The Shop)
15
Members to break even
(Shop only)
(Shop only)
2,300
sqft across all three
departments (Phase 1)
departments (Phase 1)
$13–30K
Full campus
Phase 1 buildout
Phase 1 buildout
50%
Mall occupancy =
our leverage
our leverage
Equipment Plan.
Three phases per department. Start with what I'd use myself. Upgrade with revenue.
The Shop — Making & Fabrication
Phase 1 — $3,000–6,000
Phase 2 — $5,000–10,000
Phase 3 — $10,000–25,000
| Phase | Equipment | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3× 3D printers, electronics bench, 2 workstations, hand tools | 3D printing, prototyping, basic electronics, CAD |
| 2 | CO2 laser cutter + ventilation, resin printer, member storage | Laser engraving/cutting, detailed prints, custom fabrication |
| 3 | CNC router, woodworking tools, sewing machines, vacuum former | Wood/metal machining, textiles, molds, full fabrication |
The Studio — Video Production
Phase 1 — $2,400–4,700
Phase 2 — $2,900–5,000
Phase 3 — $15,000–30,000
| Phase | Equipment | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green screen, LED panels, camera, wireless lavs, teleprompter, editing workstation | YouTube videos, headshots, interviews, livestreaming |
| 2 | Second camera, audio treatment, gimbal, capture card, second workstation | Multi-angle shoots, smooth motion, livestream switching |
| 3 | Cyclorama wall, lighting grid, cinema cameras, control room, render server | Professional production, commercial work, events |
The Booth — Audio Production
Phase 1 — $2,300–4,800
Phase 2 — $5,000–10,000
Phase 3 — $20,000–50,000
| Phase | Equipment | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audio interface, mics, headphones, monitors, DAW computer, DIY acoustic treatment | Podcasts, voiceover, demo tracks, mixing |
| 2 | Larger interface, drum mics, vocal booth, MIDI controller, synth, electronic drums | Full band recording, music production |
| 3 | Isolation room, pro interface, pro mics, outboard gear, console | Professional recording studio, commercial releases |
The Gateway Drugs.
Low-friction packages that convert curious visitors into regulars.
"Film Your First 5 Videos"
$200–$300
Studio time, camera operation, basic editing. People who can't justify a $900 camera will absolutely pay $50 to use yours for an hour.
"Launch Your Podcast"
$300–$500
We record, edit, and publish your first 3 episodes. Removes every friction point between "I want to start a podcast" and having one live on Spotify.
"Print Your First Part"
$15 day pass
Come in, learn the basics, walk out with something you made. The lowest barrier to entry in the building.
Revenue Model.
Membership tiers span all departments. The cross-department pass is the sweet spot.
| Tier | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shop Only | The Shop | $30/mo |
| Studio Only | The Studio | $40/mo |
| Booth Only | The Booth | $35/mo |
| Creative Pass | All three departments | $75/mo |
| Premium Creative | All three + 24/7 + storage + priority booking | $125/mo |
Additional Revenue Streams
Day Passes
$15/day
Try-before-you-buy for casual users.
Studio Hour Rental (Video)
$25–$40/hr
Book the green screen, lights, and camera.
Studio Hour Rental (Audio)
$20–$35/hr
Book the booth with treated room and monitors.
Machine Time (Laser)
$12/hr
Phase 2+ when the laser cutter is installed.
Workshops & Classes
$25–$75/person
Intro to 3D printing, start your podcast, film your first video.
Material Sales
~20% markup
Filament, wood, acrylic — convenience markup.
Timeline.
From walking into the mall to a full creative campus.
Week 1–2
Walk into mall office. Get available units, lease terms. Call city economic development about equipment grants. Get insurance quotes. Talk to Columbus Idea Foundry.
Week 3–4
Evaluate units. Negotiate lease. Target: 6-month term, under $10/sqft NNN. Sign. File permits.
Week 5–7
Buildout: electrical, workbenches, ventilation, security, signage. Order and install Phase 1 equipment.
Week 8
Soft open. Finalize waiver, membership system. Start using the space. Invite 3–5 friends to test.
Week 9–12
Community launch. Announce, host open house, run first free class (intro to 3D printing).
Month 6–12
Expand to The Studio (video). Prove model with track record. Apply for CDBG equipment grant.
Month 12–18
Expand to The Booth (audio). Full creative campus operational.
Year 3+
Phase 3 everything. Professional-grade equipment across all departments. Consider larger space.
Why Lancaster, Why Now.
0
Competition
No makerspace, no recording studio, no video production facility in Lancaster. Columbus has them. Lancaster doesn't.
2026
Rural King Opens
When Rural King opens in the mall, foot traffic increases. Your departments benefit from that traffic for free.
40K
Underserved Population
People who want to create content, make things, or produce music currently drive to Columbus. Give them a reason to stay.
50%
Mall Occupancy
Half-empty mall = flexible lease terms. Namdar wants paying tenants. A community draw is better than another empty storefront.
The Mall.
River Valley Mall — the substrate for the campus.
| Address | 1635 River Valley Circle S, Lancaster, OH 43130 |
| Owner | Namdar Realty Group (Mason Asset Management) |
| Size | 521,587 sqft enclosed mall, built 1987 |
| Occupancy | ~50% (flexible leasing = our opportunity) |
| Anchors | Cinemark, Dick's, JCPenney (open) · Rural King (2026) · Former Sears (vacant) |
| Phone | (740) 653-9733 |
Let's build it.
Lancaster's creative infrastructure starts with one key, one workbench, and one maker.
AI for Lancaster