3D printing is moving closer to the mainstream.  Makerbot Industries, the Brooklyn startup that makes 3D home printers, is opening up its first retail location in downtown Manhattan.

At a Wednesday press conference, CEO Bre Pettis said that in describing Makerbots to those unfamiliar with 3D printing, he has to say, “You have to see it to believe it.”

“This is where you can go to see Makerbots in action,” he said.

The retail location will certainly help the company get its name out to a broader audience of consumers and elevate the 3D printing space in general. Today’s Wired cover story will no doubt boost its profile too.

On Wednesday, the company also unveiled its newest desktop 3D printer , the Replicator 2, as well as new software, called MakerWare, to help “drive” the Makerbots. It also announced an experimental version of its new printer, the Replicator2X, which targets…