Makerhoods Live/Work in Newark

The application window is OPEN!

If you’re interested in becoming a Newark Maker, you may apply by clicking on the button below. Three Maker Shops are open and three Food Maker spaces are open. We may contact you if your application aligns well with our program.

Rent an apartment and Maker Shop starting around $2,500/month*

Are you a maker, artisan, or creative who wants to grow their passion into a thriving business? Have you outgrown your living room and are ready for the next step in your business?

While it’s easier than ever to start a business, it’s harder than ever to grow a profitable business – making consistent sales, keeping up with customer and technology trends, managing inventory and cash flow, plus taking care of household bills and responsibilities.

The Makerhoods Live/Work program is a new approach to solve these challenges that small business owners face. Our mission at Makerhoods is to help people grow profitable businesses that create prosperity, secure their futures, and build inter-generational wealth. 

For one affordable monthly cost, accepted Makers receive an apartment, a separate commercial space to run their business, and business services all in an active, supportive community.

Watch the information session video to learn more about the Newark Makerhoods Live/Work program.

The application window was April 12 - June 13, 2021 and opened again in July of 2023. If you have questions regarding the application process please contact us.

*Estimate only. Rate may be subject to change.

Details

• Who We’re Looking For

• Live/Work Package

• Selection Process & Application

• Maker Expectations

• Maker Shops & Newark Food Factory

• FAQs

Location

Who We’re Looking For

Makers create products people love to wear, eat, drink, use, gift, or decorate with. We are seeking to curate businesses that are at their core are artisanal, maker, creative, or light manufacturing (i.e. things skillfully and lovingly made by hand or produced locally).

Accepted makers may have a small resell or service component to their business, but the majority of the products should be produced on-site at Makerhoods.

Newark Makerhoods is focused on food & beverage, fashion & beauty, and neighborhood service businesses. Some possible business may include but are not limited to:

Food & Beverage Makers

• Caterers

• Bakers

• Meal prep delivery services

• Virtual restaurants

• Juices and other beverages

• Consumer packaged goods

Fashion & Beauty Makers

• Apparel, jewelry, shoes, handbags, or other accessories

• Skincare, makeup, haircare, or nailcare maker (may or may not provide services)

• Tailor/seamstress/sewist

• Industrial sewer

• Supply chain vendor for the industry

Neighborhood Services

• Coffee shop or café

• Shipping and printing services

• Wellness/fitness

We are open to other business categories as long as it is a maker business. If your business does not fall into one of these categories, but you believe it would benefit the Newark Makerhoods community, contact us at info@makerhoods.com.   

Live/Work Package

The Makerhoods Live/Work program includes commercial space, an apartment, and business support services starting around $2,500 a month.

Food and Beverage Businesses (6 openings)

• Dedicated kitchen space for production in a shared, 24/7 access commercial kitchen 

• Ability to book the demonstration kitchen space for revenue-earning events (classes, dinners, pop-up restaurant, etc.)

• A 1, 2, or 3-bedroom apartment to meet your household needs

• Access to the Makerhoods Market and other selling opportunities 

• Business coaching, advising, training, and resources to help grow your business and reach your goals

Fashion and Beauty Businesses and/or Neighborhoods Services (10 openings)

• A commercial shop for production, retail, events/experiences, and/or office space. The sizes of the commercial shops range from 525 square feet to 855 square feet. Each shop has its own toilet, sink, and mezzanine.

• A 1, 2, or 3-bedroom apartment to meet your household needs

• Access to the Makerhoods Market and other selling opportunities 

• Business coaching, advising, training, and resources to help grow your business and reach your goals

Greenhouse (1 opening)

• A 3,200 square foot insulated greenhouse for growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, juice bar, and more

• A 1, 2, or 3-bedroom apartment to meet your household needs

• Access to the Makerhoods Market and other selling opportunities 

• Business coaching, advising, training, and resources to help grow your business and reach your goals

The exact cost of the Live/Work package may vary based on the apartment size, the commercial space size, and household income status. Households at the regional 50-70% AMI set by the NJ Council on Affordable Housing income-qualify for affordable housing. Makers are responsible for utility, internet, and Common Area Maintenance fees. 

Selection Process & Application

Timeline

• Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Eligibility

• Maker business - You design and/or produce the products that you sell.

• An existing for-profit business generating $2,000/month in sales or $24,000/year*

• Willing to live on-site at Makerhoods in Newark

• Able to commit to working full-time on your business**

• One business per applicant

• Legally incorporated business with all applicable licensing and permits

• Must have business insurance

• Majority business owner must be 21-years or older as of the application due date

• Business owner is a legal resident or citizen of the U.S. 

• Preferred Applicant:

  • Current or former Newark resident

  • Household income at 50-80% AMI

  • A business owner from traditionally underrepresented demographics

**Revenue exceptions may be made for certain businesses. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@makerhoods.com.

**Or has a plan to meet Live/Work expectations (see below under the Expectations section).

We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to apply regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, occupation, income status, or disability.

Evaluation

Makerhoods selection committee will review complete applications through the lens of five main criteria:

• Entrepreneurial mindset. We are looking for Makers who have an entrepreneurial mindset, as defined as being self-starting, future-thinking, able to overcome barriers, determined, and have good follow-through.

• Business model. The business should have the potential to provide the business owner with a living wage (and beyond). The business owner should have a vision to get there. 

• Traction. We are looking for Makers who have been generating sales (online, at markets, informally, etc.), who can demonstrate proof of business concept and market demand. They should have a consistent monthly revenue of $2,000/month or $24,000/year.

• Potential for impact. We are looking for Makers in which Makerhoods will have a significant positive impact on the Maker and/or their family.

• Community-oriented. We are looking for Makers eager to develop as business owners and grow their businesses within a like-minded entrepreneurial community.

Maker Expectations

Makerhoods Live/Work is not an incubator or accelerator program in the traditional sense; there is no graduation date. Accepted Makers can be part of the program as long as it fits their business needs, and they meet the program’s expectations.

These expectations are in place to ensure that the community is a vibrant place of commerce. Makers will be regularly evaluated on the progress of their business and adherence to the community expectations.

Makers are expected to:

• Join the online Makerhoods Market

• Share business data and financials with Makerhoods for the purpose of receiving business advising and coaching

• Participate and utilize Makerhoods business development services

• Have Maker Shop open 5 days per week during Shopping Hours, Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm.

• Participate in Makerhoods events

• Only use the commercial space and amenities for the business described in the application

Makerhoods expectations, policies, and community guidelines are subject to management discretion and ongoing update.  Failure to comply with the expectations and policies may result in removal from the program.

Maker Shops + Newark Food Factory

Fashion & beauty and neighborhood services businesses will have space in the Maker Shops. Food & beverage businesses will be based in the Newark Food Factory.

FAQs

Please review some frequently asked questions about the Live/Work program. We also have an ongoing list of questions asked at information sessions. You can view the questions and answers here.