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Friends, Whatever Mother Nature brings to Williamsport this winter, the building will be warmed with the arrival of new tenants. Now that a second phase of construction is complete and new leases have been signed, we expect more lights in the windows and more activity in the building. We’re happy to welcome Susquehanna Life as a new tenant. Their Winter 2009 issue has hit newsstands, and within its pages is a glowing article about the Pajama Factory. Read it here or—even better—pick up a copy if you can. We're also happy that Jennifer Rixey has joined us as our office manager. Coming to us from the Williamsport-based Hutchinson Development Group, she will be helping Marshall with building issues, book keeping, coordinating contractor negotiations, and helping with tenant questions and needs. Building a community out of a nearly hollow, 300,000 square-foot building is a slow and careful process, but we feel it's really happening here, and we're excited to share our progress with you. – Mark and Susie Winkelman |
Equinox Sale and Pajama Factory Open House
Equinox, a long-standing Pajama Factory tenant, manufactures a wide line of outdoor equipment and its annual sale has become a popular tradition. On the first weekend of November, the company filled a large space on the second floor with goods—books, tents, backpacks and bags of all sorts, holiday ornaments, water bottles, tarps, dog beds, blankets, baby gear, and more. West Branch School representatives sold hot dogs and drinks, baked goods, and other treats to raise funds for the school and to sustain shoppers while on their quests for holiday deals.
Shoppers flocked to the sale as early as 8 AM—in fact, according to Equinox’s Lori Wannup, “there were the usual several hundred people waiting to get in the door in the morning!” They filled their organic cotton reusable shopping bags, then strolled down the hall towards the existing and new studios, where a number of tenants opened their doors to show their work and talk with visitors. Somewhat of an impromptu party, the Pajama Factory Open House was a terrific opportunity to show the newly constructed studios and storage units in Building 10.
Floating Gallery Debut and First Friday Success
An hour before the doors opened on the evening of December 4, the atmosphere was a little jittery. Nails were still being hammered into bare walls—framed work ready and waiting. Snacks and refreshments were being arranged artfully on trays. Marshall Harris, Pajama Czar, rushed up and down the hallway more than twenty times, sometimes muttering to himself (something about “if I ever get this idea again, somebody…”). The guests began arriving early, and by six o’clock, the Pajama Factory was hopping.
People were smiling, gaping, talking, eating, drinking, buying, and listening to live music. And Marshall—he he was definitely smiling.
A turnout of more than 500 surpassed every other event the Pajama Factory has hosted. Nearly every rented studio was open, and those not yet rented were showcases for visiting artists, including members of the Rt. 15 ByWay of the Arts and the PA Artisan Trails.
Vendors displayed their wares—everything from jewelry and paintings to Native American art and hand-crafted bubble bath. You couldn’t walk two feet without looking at something new. Susquehanna Life enjoyed a steady stream of visitors for their “Dreams and Possibilities” open house. New tenants mingled and met one another.
But perhaps best of all were the countless reactions from people who “had no idea this was going on here!” If the Pajama Factory, with its growing tenant base and new floating gallery, was the area’s best kept secret, the word is now out and it’s a secret no more.
What is the Floating Gallery?
Mention the words “art gallery” and the image of a white walled room with special lighting, curators, and artists vying for the coveted opportunity to display their work comes to mind. The Pajama Factory’s floating gallery concept breaks that mold, as so many discovered this past Friday. The “gallery” is the building itself—a blank canvas for original ideas—with hallways of open wall space, high-ceilinged rooms and intimate storage spaces.
“If an artist wants to hang a postage-sized painting on a 15 X 15 foot wall and light it with a flashlight—because that is her work —we want her to do that,” said Marshall Harris, Pajama Czar and the creator of the floating gallery idea. Marshall has solicited work from artists across the country for what he calls an “un-gallery.” “If an artist wants to do an outdoor installation or fly something from our flag pole, we say, ‘knock yourself out!’”
The event may have ended Friday night, but the floating gallery is an ongoing attraction. If you or someone you know would like to display artwork, contact Marshall Harris at 570.323.7650 or send an email to FloatingGallery@pajamafactory.net.
Studio Update
Installing drywall. Sanding. Painting. Hanging doors. It's been a busy couple of months in the building. "Phase II" of construction has taken us from 16,000 square feet of (seemingly unending) floor space on the second floor of Building 10 to 16 new studios, ten of which are already rented. 
One of our tenants, Chad Andrews, relocated to a larger space in the new wing to allow for a printing studio. Additionally, we created eight storage units, four of which have been spoken for.
The remaining studios available are larger—between 1,000 square feet and 2,800 square feet—and perfect for an innovative small business, furniture maker, a craftsperson requiring space for bigger machinery, or perhaps a cooperative of artisans who share the same type of equipment might consider a larger studio. Rent is supremely affordable, between $350 and $1,349 a month depending on square footage.
We are delighted to see a wide range of artistic disciplines in our newest tenants, from video/audio production to architectural design, textiles to illustrations in pen and ink. If you know someone who would add to this eclectic growing mix of creatives and professionals, send him or her our way!
New Year's Wishes
Many of us accelerate this time of year, rushing through stores, power-wrapping presents, doubling-up social events. When we see the Pajama Factory under a coating of fresh snow, we can't help but slow our pace and consider all that is under its roof compared to last year at this time. Our tenants are carving out their own spaces, where they can work on their passions, create art, develop something new or different with each visit. We wish for peace and promise in the coming year, to our family, our friends, our tenants, our supporters.
Our most heartfelt wishes for a joyful holiday and abounding New Year.
– Mark and Susie Winkelman