Meg Pando started Makers Social because she missed a kind of creative space she had earlier in life. She studied fine arts at the University of Cincinnati and spent long hours in shared studios where people built things side by side. She wanted that same hands-on feeling for adults who do not have access to tools, workshop space, or a creative community.
Before Makers Social, she worked on a smaller version of the idea. She founded Studio 614, which ran paint-and-sip style events in Columbus. That business helped her learn what people wanted from a night out that included making something. It also gave her practice running events, guiding beginners, and building a repeatable customer experience.
She opened Makers Social in Columbus in early 2020. The concept mixed a full bar with a menu of DIY projects. Guests could come in, pick a project, and build it at a workbench while ordering drinks and snacks. The project list covered different skill levels, so groups could choose something simple or spend more time on something detailed.
The timing made the first year hard. Makers Social opened right before the pandemic shutdowns began. That meant the business had to deal with restrictions and uncertainty almost right away. Pando kept working through that period and kept the idea moving forward even when the normal “night out” business model was not reliable.
Makers Social grew by turning the experience into a system that people could book in advance. It became a spot for date nights, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and work events. The business also fit well in Columbus because people already show up for food halls, bars, and activity-based outings.
Today Makers Social runs as a DIY project bar in the Franklinton Arts District. The setup stays focused on the same core idea. People come for a social night and leave with something they made with their hands. Meg Pando still leads it as the founder and the person behind the original concept.
