The hottest night spot in Greenwhich Village 60 years ago was a loft at 732 Broadway. A wide cross section of New Yorkers gathered there–school kids, attorneys, mailmen, a concert violinist, and a lady psychologist. For a dollar an hour, they had access to a workbench, tools, soldering irons, and test equipment where they could assemble electronic kits.

The workshop was the brainchild of Dave Muirhead and Elliot Gorden, described by the magazine as experienced audio men. In addition to the physical facilities, there was plenty of expert advice available as the customers put the finishing touches on their Heathkits, Knight Kits, and Eicos.

That address is currently the home of Universal Musical Instrument Co. From their Yelp reviews, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few old Heathkits buried under the musical instruments. According to one review, it’s a great place for those building or inventing their own musical instruments in search of affordable parts. “The proprietor often will let you browse, chaperoned, once he understands what you are there for.”

The profile shown above appeared in the January 1960 issue of Electronics Illustrated.