Darien's Make-Modern Crafting Studio Looks To Expand To Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Make-Modern, a crafting and sewing studio in Darien that offers weekly classes for adults and children, is looking to expand into Greenwich.

According to pre-application documents submitted to the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Department, owners and applicants Jonathan and Karen Schmitz want to open a second Make-Modern at 216 E. Putnam Ave., the former site of The Drawing Room which closed last November.

The Drawing Room was a boutique, cafe and fine art gallery which operated out of the rear building.

The applicant proposes to change the use of approximately 1,500 square feet consisting of the single-story portion of the front building from retail to a school use for crafts instruction.

The proposal does not include use of the rear building, according to attorney for the applicant, Christopher D. Bristol.

Make-Modern opened in Darien in March 2020 at 1985 Post Road. The crafting studio conducts classes for traditional handcrafts with a focus on children's classes and camps, but also offers craft classes for teens and adults, Bristol said in documents filed with the town.

According to their website, Make-Modern also hosts crafting birthday parties on weekends.

Typical children's class and camp sizes are 12 students, and teen and adult classes have eight students. At most, Bristol said, there would be three instructors on site at any one time. Classes will be staggered at least 30 minutes to allow sufficient time for flow of people to and from the site.

All students for children and teen classes will be dropped off, Bristol said. Schools are permitted uses within existing buildings in the LBR-2 zone, but classes that involve drop-offs require a special permit.

Bristol noted that the school use "creates a more conforming parking situation than exists under existing conditions."

"The proposed craft school is perfect for this property," Bristol added. "The location is also a perfect compliment to nearby businesses, including restaurants, a coffee bar, and various shops that offer students of all ages opportunities to walk and shop in the area at the times surrounding craft classes and camps."

The pre-application process allows for a non-binding discussion with the commission about the pros and cons of a proposal before a substantial investment is made in developing plans, reports and studies.

The proposal has not yet been scheduled to go before the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission.