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An Australian social enterprise that has pumped almost $18 million into projects addressing extreme poverty has today opened its very first pop-up store, claiming a spot at Emporium Melbourne for the next 12 weeks.
Founded in 2008 by Daniel Flynn, business-partner-now-wife Justine Flynn and Jarryd Burns, Melbourne-based Thankyou has given about $17.9 million into projects aiming to alleviate poverty in some of the world’s poorest communities via its charitable trust.
Called The Inside Store, Thankyou’s new pop-up will sell limited-edition apparel, personal care and home care lines, and will occupy a 256sqm space within Emporium Melbourne from 30 June to 24 September.
Thankyou’s trust has funded organisations like One Heart Worldwide - which aims to improve prenatal care for women in Nepal - and has also granted $2 million to philanthropic fundraising service Co-Impact and $595,000 to not-for-profit Raising The Village.
Other causes that have received a grant include US-based StrongMinds, which provides mental healthcare to African women and Children’s Ground – a First Nations organisation that works with rural communities to improve school attendance and employment outcomes.
“For over a decade, Thankyou has been chasing a single idea — to be a sustainable social enterprise at a global scale, making an impact around the world. But to get there, we've had to reimagine everything; our products and how we make them, the way we structure our team and operations, and most of all, the way we think about the future of Thankyou and we imagined it,” Daniel said.
“This year, we’re creating a physical space from which to connect with our community felt like an essential stage in that journey.
“A standard shop wouldn’t have been the Thankyou way – this is an experimental space for education and connection, and we’re really looking forward to bringing it to life.”
According to the company, the new space in Melbourne CBD has been designed to “be found, not seen” – and will house Thankyou’s latest product ranges, including new personal care and home care lines launched this month.
Both of the lines have been designed with sustainability in mind, featuring natural formulas packaged in refillable bottles, 100 per cent natural hospital-grade cleaner, and a 100 per cent natural 48-hour antiperspirant.
Some of the products have already hit the shelves nationally at retail giants like Coles (ASX: COL), Woolworths (ASX: WOW), Big W and Chemist Warehouse.
A limited-edition apparel range, created in collaboration with sustainable fashion company Outland Denim, comprises a series of 100 per cent organic unisex tees that come in four colourways: black, white, charcoal and sand.
The store will also host a series of events, set to range from educational keynotes from the Thankyou founders to live podcast recordings.
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