HoMie – a social enterprise that sells high quality clothing to help Melbourne’s homeless community - will open a pop-up store in Melbourne Central Shopping Centre on June 29.
HoMie is an initiative of charity group ‘Homeless of Melbourne’.
For every transaction made in store, HoMie donates an item of clothing to a person experiencing homelessness.
HoMie founders Marcus Crook and Nick Pearce began fundraising for the project after earlier success with ‘Homeless of Melbourne’, a Facebook page they created that shares the stories of Melbourne’s homeless community.
HoMie will be selling its own branded merchandise and clothing as well as donated clothing from brands such as Snow Gum, Cotton On, Trend Clothing and Boomerang Exchange.
Target is also fitting out the store free of charge.
In addition to clothing, HoMie will also provide a space for the homeless community of Melbourne.
It will host complimentary coffees, haircuts and workshops that are focused on increasing employability on allocated days.
The pop-up store located on Level 2 will be at Melbourne Central and is the team’s pilot venture which they hope to take throughout Australia and eventually overseas.
Pearce said the retail concept was inspired by the work conducted for 'Homeless of Melbourne'.
“After hearing the stories of the homeless community, we felt compelled to do more to help. HoMie will provide much needed funds and clothes for the homeless community.”
It will open on June 29.