frantone
patreon
Can Live-Work Spaces Ever Return?
🕑 Added 2023-01-09 11:37:25 +0000 UTCI wish - and hope that this can happen - but I will not be holding my breath. For so many decades the Live-Work was the backbone of American innovation and craft - and with all of that space being eradicated in favor of high cost upscale housing and storefront properties, how can people be surprised that we just don't make things anymore. Whatever the big company you want to name, it began in a live-work space. Where do the companies of the future come from? Don't worry - it will all be built virtually in the cloud. Enjoy!
Comments
BobC
While I was a kid in Hopewell, NJ during the early '60s we had several live-work businesses in and around town. Our car mechanic (also a family friend) lived above his shop (a large, converted barn) with his family. He was also a tow-truck and snowplow operator, so living above his trucks was extremely good for business. Our TV and appliance repair shop also had the owner and family living above, allowing us to pick up repaired appliances outside of normal business hours, relieving him of the need to do many deliveries. He also was the hub of the local Ham radio club, of which my oldest brother was a member. Both shops hired lots of high school kids to help out, and also let us younger kids hang out, which was an awesome hands-on STEM education that influenced the rest of my life. Plus, it was great when food would magically appear from upstairs!
Louis Perge
I can really empathize and appreciate the dilemma you present here, Fran and hope things improve in the ways you've described.
