It is with great sadness that we need to let our many loyal customers, followers and supporters know that Here & There Makers will be closing down both our physical store in Boronia & our online shop.
It has been 5 and a half years since I (Michelle), with support from my husband Chad and family started Here & There Makers. The original goal of HTM was to provide a permanent workshop space for Days for Girls Ferntree Gully to work from, as well providing environmentally sustainable, ethical products & education to the local & wider community.
HTM has grown so much over this time. We had 72 products when we first opened our doors in February 2018 & now have well over 1000.
Pre Pandemic, Days for Girls was running 3 days per week, producing 3000 sanitary hygiene kits per year & having an average of 80 volunteers work with us each month.
We have put everything & more back into the business to make it what it is today, and we held on through the pandemic & 3 physical premises moves. From its inception, we have never taken a wage - in fact the opposite, we have personally funded its expansion and faced down the harder times with optimism, always planning for success. We have, of course, paid and looked after our wonderful staff along the way.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to make HTM financially sustainable and so have had to make this difficult decision. Our new location has seen sales improve but not enough to be financially viable.
HTM has been my passion and joy during this time & it is heartbreaking to have to make this announcement. We will greatly miss working with our fantastic staff members Toby, Shellie & Sheridan (thanks too to former staff Tameeka, Susan & Helene’). We will greatly miss our interaction with so many loyal customers & DfG volunteers and well as finding wonderful new products from terrific suppliers around Australia and further afield.
We are having a complete storewide sale throughout July & August (from now). Our last trading day will be Saturday 26th of August. We will be selling off all our shelving & fixtures which will be available from the end of August, through to the end of September for collection.
I am as yet unsure as to whether or what form I may continue with selling my hand sewn items, but know that creating will continue to be an essential part of my life.
In the meantime please come in or get online & grab some amazing products at bargain prices, or order here on-line, we will be shipping right until the the end and will be contactable after the closing date
We will update you on any other businesses that may take on some of our current products so you can hopefully still get some of your favourites locally.
Thank you to each of you, our precious customers, who have supported us at HTM.
With deepest gratitude
Michelle & Chad Gates.
Store-wide discount will be automatically applied to the any product in the shopping cart.
If you have a HTM gift card, please take the opportunity to use it on-line or in store (it's easy).
If you need assistance with balances, etc please contact us.
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