Pop-­up clothing store gives back to less fortunate

The Street Store allows anyone to hang quality clothes on posters and less fortunate people can choose what they like.

The world's first free pop-up clothing store for people experiencing homelessness is due to 'pop-up' on Auckland's Quay Street next weekend.

Organiser Julian Beacham decided to help less fortunate people in Auckland by organising New Zealand's inaugural rent and premise free pop-­up clothing shop called the Street Store.

The concept is as simple as anyone bringing quality clothes to hang up or putting good pairs of shoes on posters and less fortunate people choose what they like, with assistance from volunteers available.

Situated along the iconic red fence at 75 Quay Street in Auckland Central, it opens Sunday December 7 and will be the 82nd homeless store to pop up worldwide since January 2014.

"We care about people experiencing homelessness in Auckland and New Zealand, the latest estimated figures are increasing and according to Lifewise up to 200 people call into their support hub to utilise their services every month as well as many more who are working but cannot afford housing, so they're living in their cars," Beacham said.

"We're passionate about giving back to the community and after seeing the official Street Store video online recently, I was moved enough to dedicate more time by helping restore some dignity for people experiencing homelessness in Auckland.

"We all enjoy wearing something new and fresh from time to time, we believe it's important even people experiencing homelessness have an opportunity to choose clothing they like, especially leading into Christmas. Mainly, it's also about increasing awareness for people experiencing homelessness within our community and letting them know that we care as well as want to listen then moving forward from there," he continued.

As pop-­up shop experts, Pop Up Now has partnered with the Street Store Auckland to ensure people experiencing homelessness enjoy an exciting and professional pop up shop experience for an entire day.

"We live and breathe pop-­up stores, so when the opportunity arose to give back to Auckland's community by extending a helping hand through our expertise, it was an absolute no brainer," said Lizzi Hines, founder and Managing Director of Pop Up Now by Spaceworks.

"We want people experiencing homelessness to have at least some enjoyment when selecting clothes for themselves or their family. We are honoured to assist Julian in this campaign to advocate for an even better life for people experiencing
homelessness."

Everyone of any age, as well as clothing retailers who are also willing to give back are welcome to come along and gift good clothing or nice shoes (new or pre-­loved) anytime from sunrise to sunset on Sunday.

Any clothing gifted and not collected by people experiencing homelessness will be delivered to Auckland City Mission's depot.

For more information visit www.popupauckland.info