Today marks two years since The Joinery first opened its doors on Twin Valley Road. When we started on October 1, 2023, our hope was modest: build a community of 20 members in the first year. What happened instead still amazes me—we closed out that first year with nearly 60 members, and now, as we celebrate year two, our community has grown to just over 100 strong.
The numbers tell one story:
- Over 175 people have taken our Introduction to Woodworking class.
- Hundreds more have learned through our project-based and specialty courses.
- We’ve expanded from a 2,000 sq. ft. shop into more than 7,000 sq. ft. of space, filled with some of the best woodworking tools available.
- Our shop has been home not just to hobbyists and makers, but also to a local high school’s shop class, ensuring the next generation gets hands-on experience with the craft.
- Along the way, our community has supported multiple charities, sharing not just skills but generosity.
But beyond the numbers, what really matters is the spirit that’s grown here. From the first cut on a brand-new tool tote, to the friendships forged over shared projects, to the members who show up just to lend a hand—The Joinery has become more than a shop. It’s a place to create, to learn, and to belong.
As I look around the shop now, I see not just benches and machines, but stories. I see the pride in a beginner finishing their first piece. I see the excitement of a member trying a new technique. I see teachers passing on knowledge, and students transforming into mentors.
And I couldn’t be prouder of what we have built—together.
The future is bright. We’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to see where the next years take us. Thank you for making The Joinery what it is today: a living, breathing community of makers.
Here’s to many more years of sawdust, shared learning, and the joy of making.
—Steven