Today, MakerBot quietly announced that they’ll be opening ‘mini-stores’ (similar to the mini-Apple Stores within Best Buy locations) at Microsoft retail stores featuring a full-on ‘MakerBot Experience’. Prior to this announcement, the only way to get the ‘MakerBot Experience’ was to attend a MakerFaire, go to a 3D printing industry event, attend a school or know somebody who owns a MakerBot, or swing by the MakerBot retail store in NYC. Could this be the last tip over the edge before 3D printing goes true-mainstream?
MakerBot Mini-Stores
According to the announcement made today, “Microsoft® retail stores across the country will offer a “MakerBot Experience” and the chance for customers to see 3D printing in action as well as purchase a MakerBot Replicator® 2 Desktop 3D Printer and MakerBot PLA Filament right in the store.”
Now that’s pretty huge. The step from online ordering to in-store purchasing is a big leap for a company like MakerBot. Considering that most people who are curious about 3D printing would want to see a final printed object up-close, this expansion allows dozens if not hundreds of new markets to sample a taste of 3D printing in real-time. At this time, the Microsoft retail stores will be the only full line stores outside of MakerBot’s own NYC store where you can purchase a Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer in person and take it home the same day. Additionally, it will be the instant-gratification refill station of choice for all those new Replicator 2 owners who need that extra roll of filament:
Currently, the MakerBot Experience can be seen at the following Microsoft retail stores in the U.S.:
- Scottsdale, AZ – Fashion Square
- Costa Mesa, CA – South Coast Plaza
- Mission Viejo, CA – The Shops at Mission Viejo
- Palo Alto, CA – Stanford Shopping Center
- San Diego, CA – Fashion Valley
- San Francisco, CA – Westfield San Francisco Centre
- Lone Tree, CO – Park Meadows Mall
- Danbury, CT – Danbury Fair Mall
- Atlanta, GA – Lenox Square
- Oak Brook, IL – Oakbrook Center
- Schaumburg, IL – Woodfield Mall
- Bloomington, MN – Mall of America
- Salem, NH – The Mall at Rockingham Park
- Bridgewater, NJ – Bridgewater Commons
- White Plains, NY – The Westchester
- Houston, TX – Houston Galleria
- McLean, VA – Tysons Corner Center
- Bellevue, WA – Bellevue Square
(Images via MakerBot)