Our Story
Zen Space Makers/ LoftBedsNYC is the brainchild of Sander Hicks, who has a special mix of business, design, media, and construction experience in New York City. He has been in the trades since 1996 when he was a building super and indy publisher in the LES. He became a licensed contractor in 2013 and has won two awards from the City of New York.
In 2003, Hicks was founder and Managing Partner of Vox Pop, a successful coffeehouse and community center. He led the growth of that enterprise to a two million-dollar valuation, and produced notable social impact in the community of central Brooklyn. This experience, and his passion for design, led Sander to launch Zen Carpentry, in 2013, which became Zen Space Makers, Inc. in 2016.
Since its inception, Zen Space Makers, Inc. has completed over 500 loft bed and customer furniture projects. We have innovated in the industry by making our own design for ships ladders with dado notches, and cubby staircases with doors and drawers. The company has earned 4 stars on Yelp, an “A” grade on Angie’s List and five stars on Thumbtack.
Founder Sander Hicks is a member of the Zen Studies Society, and 15th Street Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends. His page on his carpentry work at Zen monasteries is here. His Dharma name is “Sho-An” which loosely translates as “hands of peace.” His Zen name was given to him by Roshi Sherri Chayat, the Abbot of Dai Bosatsu Zendo.
Old logo from the 2013-2014 days.
Zen Space Makers owes a great debt of gratitude to the teachers and monks of Dai Bosatsu Zendo. A place of unspeakable kindness and clarity. We recommend you go check it out. www.zenstudies.org
Our large woodworking and fabrication facility is at 134-02 91st Ave. Richmond Hill, NY 11418.
(Yes, this is a part of Industry City. We do not endorse the recent failed attempt of Industry City to rezone the area and add a luxury hotel to the neighborhood. In fact, we spoke out against it, at public hearings, several times. But there are also some very nice things about Industry City, like the chocolate factory below our shop, or free jazz on Friday nights….And there are a ton of healthy restaurants for lunch if you want to swing by….)
You can mail our materials at the address above. Shop visits are also welcome, but only by appointment. Thanks!
