TechShop also offers corporate team-building events and electronics, silkscreen printing, laser cutting and other classes that are open to nonmembers for a flat fee.

“One thing we’ve tried to focus on is how make some classes ‘date-able,’ so you can have a date night here,” said special member ambassador Emily Woods, who previously worked at a California TechShop before relocating to St. Louis.

The first shop opened in California a decade ago, and TechShop has since expanded to seven states and several international locations.

Since announcing the St. Louis location earlier this year, TechShop is on track to reach its goal of 1,000 area members before opening, said general manager Mike Hill.

Thirty-two businesses and schools have signed up for multiple memberships ranging from five to 100. Skilled experts who teach at least 12 hours a month at the studio can get free access to the facility.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from the St. Louis area,” Hill said.

McKelvey also is the co-founder of Third Degree Glass Factory, an art education center and artisan glass gallery on Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis. The entrepreneur said he had discussions with TechShop’s executives as they were expanding nationally.