PHILADELPHIA, PA  -  Philadelphia Woodworks, a members-only woodshop with professional woodworking tools, lumber, supplies and guidance, will hold its grand opening April 22.

The 8,000 sq.ft. workshop is described as a “collaborative for woodworkers” by Michael Vogel, a former investment banker and its entrepreneur founder. Vogel says the shop holds over $100,000 in tools and equipment. It also has a woodworkers' supply store and retail lumber yard  stocked with both domestic and exotic hardwoods, as well as a full range of project supplies.

The lumber yard also features an exclusive collection of one-of-a-kind reclaimed and salvaged materials from Provenance Mill Works. The business formally opened March 1, with a goal of providing woodworkers of all different levels finally have easy and affordable access to professional-grade tools, expert training, on-site lumber, storage facilities and a woodworkers supply store. The Grand Opening of the facility, which also includes an art and furniture gallery, will be on Sunday, April 22, 2012 starting at 2 pm.

As an undergraduate architecture student, Vogel developed a hobby for woodworking at University of Pennsyvania’s professional campus woodshop. On graduating he lost access to the facility. Commercial woodshops wouldn't allow him to use their facilities, citing insurance and other concerns, so Vogel left the investment business a year ago to set up Philadelphia Woodworks.