Canada’s First Full Service 3D Printing Storefront, MatterThings, Opens

When any new technology begins to creep its way into mainstream use, the free market seems to always accelerate the process. For instance, when Apple released the first iPhone back in 2007, sales were not amazing right off the bat, however, other companies like Google spawned the release of additional phones created by their Android partners. This, in effect, led to increased adoption, more companies entering the space and so on and so forth.

The same thing is just beginning to transpire within the 3D printing space, both for the actual printers themselves, as well as services rendered with these printers. Already there are several 3D printing shops, offering services, equipment and materials here in the United States. In fact, in New York City alone, there are already quite a few of these shops.

Today we got word that a company called MatterThings has just opened the doors to what they consider to be the very first 3D printer and 3D scanner storefront in Canada. Located at Faubourg de l’Île, 101 Cardinal-Léger Boulevard, Pincourt, Québec, the store operates both online and offline, and will be offering 3D printing and scanning services, materials, hardware, repairs and even workshops for kids.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Claudia, one of the owners of Matterthings, who along with her husband Jose, opened the store just two days ago. She stated that they are just getting set up, and will be offering 3D printers, filaments, and a variety of exciting services.

“The other main thing that will be a big attraction, is that we will be doing full body scans to print a miniature figurine of the person, like a mini-me,” Claudia told 3DPrint.com. “We will be scanning objects and replicating them. If someone has a broken part we can replicate it.”

The store’s Facebook page states that they are open 24 hours a day, however, Claudia clarified for us that there are actual store hours, however, they accept files for printing, via email, at all hours of the day. The actual store hours are:

• Monday-Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Thursday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

There is no doubt in my mind that we will continue to see storefronts like this open, offering both hardware and materials, along with actual printing services. The only question remaining, is how fast will this happen, and will larger chains like Staples, UPS, and Office Depot eventually take over the market? Let us know if you have paid a visit to this new store location. Discuss in the MatterThings forum thread on 3DPB.com