NEW STAFF WELCOME // Membership Associate Isaac Cohen Knew 3rd Ward Way Back When

Recently, 3rd Ward's staff welcomed a crew of some bright & shiny new faces--over the coming days, we'll be introducing you to each and every one of them. If you've been here and have met them in person already, now's your chance to learn a few more things.

We'll kick things off with Mr. Isaac Cohen:

Cohen officially came on as a membership associate this summer, but there's some deeper history here. Cohen used to be in real estate and was working for the company that managed 195 Morgan Avenue when 3rd Ward moved in. Nearly six years later, he changed professions and followed his heart. Recently we caught up with him a bit and really got to know him. 

Hit the jump to see our full Q&A with Isaac.

So why don't you tell the folks what you do here.

I show the public what we do, give tours of the facility. Once people become members, I help them out with any issues they might have. I work in the afternoon, and there's someone else in the morning.

Where you from?

Brooklyn, born and raised. I'm from Midwood, over around Avenue N. 

Where were you before this?

I was in real estate, for about six years, and I was actually involved with 3rd Ward before it even started. I worked for the company that managed the space, so I showed it to them.

Wow, big transition.

I wanted to be in a more creative, less market-driven field. And there's an element of selling in this job. There's some multitasking, wearing many hats, which is something I was doing before.

Anything you've seen at 3W since you've started that's been particularly inspiring?

I'm inspired by all the women doing metalworking and woodworking--traditionally masculine things. If you want to do something, you do it. It doesn't matter who you are. I'm also inspired by the diversity of the people there. There are people from all walks of life here, and I think that's really cool.

Any events coming up here that you're especially looking forward to?

There's always good stuff going on. The Wind-Up last week was really cool. I liked that.

Where should everyone in New York be going to eat? 

DiFara Pizza on Avenue J and 15th Street. I used to live right around there.

Uh-oh, what if you're more of a Grimaldi's fan.

Grimaldi's is incredible. Also Roberta's and Fornino here in Williamsburg.

Power toy?

My piano. It's a Russian-made upright called Nocturno. I've been playing for about 20 years, actually studying with instructors for about 13.

Wait, how old are you?

I'm 30. I feel young.

Psychological horror movies or romantic comedies?

[Pauses] Romantic comedies? I'm not the biggest movie buff.

Best opening/performance/show you've seen in the past two months, or that you're looking forward to?

Oh I can't remember the name. It was Brazilian jazz. Yeah, I don't know what they're called. I'll just say Brazilian jazz festival. They were great.

Kind of cocktail you'd rather be drinking right now?

Whiskey. Straight up. I'll say Makers, nice bourbon.

And what do you make/do/craft outside of 3W?

I teach piano. I make and teach bamboo flute. I make dream catchers. I like to give those as gifts.

What kind of music do you like to play?

Classical, jazz, New Orleans shuffle, blues, be-bop. Everything from Bach to rock.

And you rhyme! 

Ha, yeah. I like to listen to a lot of piano music, definitely a lot of jazz, New Orleans-style, like New Orleans shuffle, be-bop.

Alright, well thanks, it's been fun talking. Yeah, I'll see you around!

--Layla Schlack