A shop in Canberra that supports local makers and creatives is set to expand interstate.

Gabe Trew, founder of the Braddon-based POP Canberra, announced that a new store will open in Melbourne in 2026.

The store’s model is to provide a platform for small businesses and creatives to thrive by bringing their products to a wider audience.

Mr Trew said that wherever the store is, the products sold will always come from locals in that area.

“We plan to open stores nationwide, creating a network of support for Australian creatives and connecting people with the best in local design and craftsmanship,” he said.

“We thought Melbourne would make sense for the next shop. People in Melbourne adopt things quickly, particularly things that have that local flavour.”

Mr Trew said following extensive research, with a location yet to be announced, the store would likely be set up Clifton Hill or Fitzroy – suburbs on the fringe of the Melbourne CBD.

“In all likelihood, we’ll do a second shop in Melbourne,” he said.

“Those suburbs have good daytime and nighttime activity.”

Mr Trew said while he has never lived in Melbourne, he has visited many times over the past 10 years.

He said the Canberra store had many customers in Melbourne, as well as a demand from makers who live in Victoria’s capital city.

Mr Trew said they had tossed and turned for several years on where to set up the next store.

“We’ve always had a really strong community of shoppers – particularly through our presence on social media and Instagram,” he said.

“We’ve got that real sense of community with people. We put the question to people (their customers), more, and more people have said ‘Open wherever I am’.

“People around the country have been saying that, people in Melbourne and other places as well.”

He said the vision was to support as many makers and small businesses as possible by opening “bricks and mortar” stores.

Mr Trew said the decision to expand the business was in line with a rebrand of the Canberra store.

“We’ve changed our entire brand identity – we have a new logo and mascot and a new brand of colours – we changed the entire colour (scheme) of the store,” he said.

Mr Trew said the store also had new signage, shelving, a refit of the interiors, and goods from additional makers.

“Before it was a little bit less cohesive – it was very bright neon colours, and our logo was getting a bit outdated,” he said.

“It was less clear about what it was, whereas with our rebrand, we’ve really tried to outline that we’re a local store.

“As soon as people will look at it, they’ll know it’s a new store.”

The POP Canberra store showcases the products of more than 250 makers, designers, and artisans from the Canberra region.

Since its inception five years ago, it has grown from 40 creatives to more than 300, that are within a 100-kilometre radius of the ACT, from jewellery to wines, and artworks.

The staff are hosting a party at the store at shop G12/27 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612 on 23 November to celebrate both milestones from 10am-11pm.

You can visit the stores’ website at poplocal.com.au

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