NORTHFIELD — After 44 years in business, Michael Humphries Woodworking has recently closed and the shop is for sale.
Owner Michael Humphries suffered an aneurysm last year, and has been looking into passing on his woodworking space, at 158 Birnam Road, to new ownership, thinking outside the box in the process.
On Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., residents will gather at Michael Humphries Woodworking for an evening of discussion about transforming the existing space, possibly using a cooperative model. The evening will consist of a tour led by Humphries, a presentation and a panel discussion that will provide information on how a woodworking co-op could accommodate new business ventures.
“We’ve gotten the message that giving a boost to start-up and expanding woodworkers may be a better way for Michael to sell his shop rather than finding someone to buy the whole works,” said Leigh Youngblood, Humphries’ wife.
To make it more economically accessible, Humphries and Youngblood are partnering with the Franklin County Community Development Corporation and the Cooperative Fund of New England for the forum, as a way to test interest and introduce experts who can help with co-op formation, management and financing.
Humphries’ has been woodworking since 1970, when he started building furniture for himself and friends. He later turned the hobby into a business, working out of shops in both Warwick and Northfield. He said previously that the shop takes local jobs, mostly in churches and libraries, but that portion of work is relatively small next to the “enormous” amount that comes from eastern Massachusetts — Boston and its surrounding suburbs, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
According to Youngblood, Humphries was hospitalized for months following his aneurysm roughly a year ago. He went home at the end of October, but unfortunately never went back to work in a full capacity. While the shop and its handful of employees kept things running and finished ongoing projects through April, no purchase of the business came through during that time.
“Initial investments to start a business can be daunting,” Youngblood said.
She noted that if the business were to be changed to a co-op model, having access to advanced, expensive machines without shouldering the whole investment can shorten the time for young craftspeople to grow a business network and reach their full potential.
The central 3,500-square-foot mill room is bordered by two bench rooms, one on the sunny east side and one to the north, each with four work stations. The second floor hosts ample office space and a one-bedroom apartment with wood flooring and a fireplace.
Registration is not required to attend the Wednesday forum. There is parking on site and refreshments will be served. Individuals and businesses at every level of interest are encouraged to attend. With serious inquiries, if you can’t attend, contact the shop at 413-498-0018.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.