Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurice Howland.
Maurice, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After 40+ years as an air traffic controller/manager, retirement wasn’t working for me. So I bought an old warehouse and converted it into a shop. Having just completed a remodel of an old home, I realized that having access to a well equipped shop would be awesome. My concept was simple, have a really great shop and let other people help me pay for it.
All of 2017 was spent remodeling/restoring the building., Joe Clay, a trained shipwright and previous woodworking instructor, helped with the shop build. In 2018 Shop Class opened for business.. Soon we were providing basic and advanced woodworking classes along with welding. In addition to classes we offered “shop time.” Once qualified, open shop time could be purchased to use the shop at a reasonable rate.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The shop opened in early 2018, and faced significant challenges later that year when hurricane Florence struck. Although the shop experienced minimal damage, other areas of the city were severely affected. In 2019, as recovery from Florence was underway, I required heart surgery. My post-surgery recovery progressed well until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations entirely. Teaching hands-on skills such as table saw usage proved impractical through remote platforms like Zoom.
Shop Class has generally received positive feedback from the community; however, there have been exceptions. Notably, the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) presented a particular challenge. In 2013, NCRR stated their intention to claim an additional 50 feet of right-of-way, which would divide the warehouse in two. They proposed that, if I agreed to their terms—including signing an imbalanced agreement and paying $4,000 annually—the business could continue and the building would remain intact. This matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There is no comprehensive manual for operating a multi-user community shop or training facility. Although my experience as an air traffic controller may not initially appear relevant, I have identified several points of intersection. Fine woodworking demands precision and meticulous attention to detail, qualities that are essential in air traffic control. Safety serves as the foundation in both fields and remains a primary focus at Shop Class. In addition, ongoing training is integral to air traffic control, and there are clear parallels in providing hands-on instruction with tools that require strict safety protocols.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Shop Class owes its success to dedicated instructors and volunteers. Lead instructor Joe Clay designed the woodworking syllabus and brings extensive expertise. Jon Burger teaches welding, CNC plasma cutting, and beginner woodworking classes; he’s also Director of the Bank of the Arts and works as a sculptor. Dale Rhoton specializes in wood turning and donates bowls for local fundraisers. Jim Karl instructs CNC and epoxy techniques, creating and selling work locally.
Volunteers help keep Shop Class running. Ron, a retired BMW engineer, manages Tuesdays; Bill, a former high school shop teacher, covers Thursdays; Dan and Eric alternate on Sundays. Shop Class operates as a community-driven space.
Pricing:
- Classes are generally $80 for a 3 hour class and $235 for a 9 hour class. Welding is the exception because the consumables are costly
- Shop Time is available as pay as you go, pay in advance, or monthly membership. About $10 per hour.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopclass-nb.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopclassinnb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063706533857
