Written by Quinn Propst
Ward media reporter
CASHMERE – Jonathan Clark, owner of NCW Woodshop, a community-based wood shop in Cashmere, wants to build a community of people who come and work with him.
NCW Woodshop offers classes and mentorship for all skill levels and also offers several membership options.
“It’s like a gym membership, but it’s a woodshop membership,” Clark said.
The shop has two membership levels. One option gives members 5 hours of shop time each month, and the unlimited bundle allows members to shop during business hours. Both options include free safety and orientation classes and his 15% discount on classes.
There is also a drop-in fee of $30 per day.
Clark and his wife Jennifer bought a home in Leavenworth in 2017, but it needed some work. So Clark began setting up shop in Leavenworth. However, the couple lived in Kirkland at the time, so the store wasn’t very convenient.
After the pandemic, Clark took a woodworking class in Seattle and really enjoyed it. He then began looking for available store space in Seattle and found a community membership woodworking shop.
When Clark moved to Wenatchee in 2021, he wanted to own a lumber mill but didn’t have the space in his home. His wife Jennifer suggested starting something similar in the Wenatchee area.
“One day, my wife and I were driving through town, and she said to me, “We should open a lumber mill like they did in Seattle. That was a great idea.” I thought,” he said. “And here we are. So we started it and have been slowly tweaking here, tweaking there, trying to find the right mix of things.”
Clark opened in October 2023.
The store holds popular charcuterie board making classes on Mondays. We also offer DIY With Us, Picture Framing Classes, Basic Woodworking, and Basic Woodworking for Youth.
But one of the most popular classes is Power Tools 101, which is just for women.
It was the first time Ms. Clark taught a class on her own. For the second time, Clark said he partnered with Eastside Rebuild manager Beryl Biles, who will continue to teach classes.
The class was full the second time around, and Clark said he expects the next class to fill up quickly.
In this class, the women learn how to safely use drills and saws. It provides detailed explanations of the types of nails and screws and which one should be used for which job.
Mr. Clark hopes that people will find learning and working there as relaxing and fun as he does.
“It’s kind of cool to make something with your own hands instead of going out and buying something,” he said.
For more information or to register for a class, visit the NCW Woodshop website at ncwwoodshop.com or stop by our location at 101 Railroad Avenue, Suite 101A, Cashmere.
Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.
