NEW STAFF WELCOME // Director of Retail Jeffrey Opdyke: 3rd Ward Makes You Smile

Last week we introduced you to 3rd Ward's new Membership Services Associate Isaac Cohen, and now we're delighted to showcase another valuable new addition to our crew, Retail Director Jeffrey Opdyke.

There's a good chance that you're already familiar with Opdyke's work here at 3rd Ward. Since joining the staff this summer he's implemented the amazing Shopbox, which allows you to peruse and purchase a choice selection of American-made products, either via iPad at the Dekalb Market or through our online store. He got to show off the Shopbox to the New York Times' T Magazine and recently oversaw its harrowing but successful move to a central location at the entrance to the Dekalb Market.

Find out more about Opdyke in our Q&A after the jump.

It's hard to miss the awesomeness of the Shopbox, but how would you describe your work in your own words?

I am selecting products for our new retail program, which will include the essentials for what you need to make things at 3rd Ward. I'll also find awesome books and things that will inspire you, and great gifts for your home.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Minneapolis. I have been living in New York since 2000.

Where were you before this?

Previously, I worked as the Retail Manager for Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum on the Upper East Side for six years.

Awesome, that's one of our favorite NYC museums. Is there anything particularly inspiring that you've seen since coming to 3rd Ward?

Every day at 3rd Ward I see things that are inspiring.  The Pig Roast was a lot of fun this summer. I love how many different types of people showed up. I have met with some members who are doing really amazing work. But mostly, it is pretty cool to see everyone so happy all the time. I guess when you are working on stuff you want to be working on, it makes you smile.

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

I just signed up for my first class, How to Homebrew Beer! I am really excited for that.  Making beer is something I have always been interested in, and now I have the chance to learn how.

Where should everyone in New York be going to eat?

My favorites for any night of the week are: Al Di La, Franny's, Momofuku, Le Bernardin. I also love Frankies Sputino, and the Breslin does a great brunch.

Power toy?

The Shopbox is like my giant power toy. It spins, there are colored lights, and if you buy something from the iPad or online, it automatically ships it to you. It may be 3rd Ward's most exciting power toy.

Psychological horror movies or romantic comedies?

Totally into Rom Com. I saw Bridesmaids twice, but was really disappointed by What's Your Number.  If it weren't for Chris Evans, I would have left.

Best opening/performance/show you've seen recently?

I saw Yacht the other night at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar at Dekalb Market.  They were refreshingly good. The live show reminded me of The Talking Heads, and the lead singer is totally the next Annie Lennox.

What kind of cocktail would you rather be drinking right now?

I love a good Tom Collins.  But, since its 10am, I'll have a Bloody Mary.

Sounds good to us. Cheers! Cheers!

-- John Ruscher

The Wonders of Shopbox

It spins! It blinks! It sells you awesome stuff! Come visit Shopbox at the Dekalb Market, a shopping experience that Inc. Magazine called "the future of retail." Can't make it to the market? Click here to browse featured products.

SHOPBOX UPDATE // 3rd Ward's Dekalb Market Shop Gets a Lift

In the abstract, it's quite cool that a crane can just pick something up as large as a shipping container and move it 200 feet, no sweat. Though if that shipping container houses a shop that you've spent months meticulously curating and arranging, it can be a little terrifying to see it all go down. "I didn't want to watch--but I did," says 3rd Ward's director of retail, Jeffrey Opdyke. "It's like one of those reality TV shows where the characters are drinking too much and falling all over the streets of Italy."

Fortunately, all went well, and SHOPBOX is now right at the entrance to Dekalb Market, as opposed to back by the bathrooms. Opdyke says that once the market saw how beautiful the shop was, they wanted it front and center.

Take a second and watch our video of the death-defying move here:

See? Nothing to it.

A much-relieved Opdyke believes the new locale could serve as a boost for the producers of the goods inside. "I'm excited about these new beautifully hand-turned wooden mallets by Ben Light," Opdyke says. "I'm also really excited about Topo Backpacks. I had to get one for myself, and let me tell you, it may be the best backpack I've ever bought." Opdyke is excited to currently be selling all American-made goods, saying that it's a way for 3rd Warders to see that there is a market for what they're doing.

"The 3rd Ward retail program is just beginning," Opdyke says. "The SHOPBOX was the first iteration of retail for 3rd Ward.  In addition to changing out the products at the SHOPBOX in the upcoming months, we have begun to start selling products at 3rd Ward's flagship location on Morgan Ave."

Dekalb Market is also having a bit of a growth spurt; it's actually doubling in size, with 30 new vendors opening up shop on October 15. One of them will be Jacques Torres, so you'll have chocolate to fuel your shopping adventure, which is key. We're also pretty excited for The {New New} Etsy, a rotating outlet for Etsy vendors. As scary as change may be--especially when it involves a crane--we're thrilled to see things are continuing to grow at Dekalb Market and SHOPBOX.

--Layla Schlack

IT'S HERE // The 3rd Ward SHOPBOX at the Dekalb Market Reinvents Retail

Photos by Liz Clayman

What's green, part-department store window, part-automat and part-robot? We won't leave you scratching your head too long, because we're dying to show you the 3rd Ward SHOPBOX, which we gave the New York Times a sneak peak of last week.

The SHOPBOX, located at the Dekalb Market (where we've also been farming and hosting free workshops), is a retail store from the future. Anyone can browse the stunning window displays, which showcase American-made products like Topo backpacks, a Mopha tool roll and a Makerbot 3D printer. See something you fancy? Send a quick text message or buy online at www.3rdward.com/shopbox and it's headed for your doorstep.

As with the rest of Dekalb Market's vendors, all of the magic takes place within a converted shipping container. We've spruced it up quite a bit though, with spinning, multi-level pedestals and a colored light program, all orchestrated using experiential design software.

Yes, the SHOPBOX is as cool as it sounds (just look at the pictures below), and yes, you need to pay it a visit ASAP. It's right by the market's main entrance, so you can't miss it. Window shopping is, of course, welcome.

More photos of the SHOPBOX after the jump.