A new not-for-profit retail social enterprise has opened in Sunbury to provide conscious shopping and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
We DO Good Things retail store is run by disability and services support provider Distinctive Options (DO) Pathways and has been a buzzing success so far.
The store stocks Banksia Fine Food products and honey from DO Honey, an Australian Diverse Ability Beekeeping Enterprise also from DO.
DO Business Development Manager Paul Pearman said they decided to open the store to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities.
“We’ve had plenty of people come through the doors… [and] some great community feedback,” Mr Pearman said.
“[The store] gives people with all abilities an opportunity to work in a supported retail environment. It’s all about providing opportunities for employment for people with disabilities.”
The store sells a range of award winning jams and chutneys, along with honey and corporate hampers.
Mr Pearman said they started DO Honey in July last year and operate more than 30 hives in the Sunbury and Wildwood area.
“We employ 10 people with disabilities for DO Honey and are looking forward to our second harvest this year,” he said. “We thought bees were cool and it would be a different concept for a business.”
Mr Pearman said they hope to stock other not-for-profit enterprises in the We DO Good Things retail store in the future.
Details: 50 McDougall Rd, Sunbury, 9740 7100.
Zoe Moffatt
