Last year, Zikkies, a new thrift store, opened up at 428 Sydney Rd, Coburg. Proceeds from Zikkies all go to the National Zakat Foundation, an Australian charity. Nabila, one of the co-owners of Zikkies, spoke with the Meddler whilst organising ties and helping an enthusiastic thrifter.
MEDDLER: Can you tell us a bit about the charity that Zikkies raises money for?
NABILA: The charity is the National Zakat Foundation, which is a muslim organisation in Australia. The money goes to programs that we run for the financially disadvantaged. We have programs for the youth, people experiencing family and domestic violence. All of the money we raise stays in Australia, and goes back to the local muslim community.
MEDDLER: Why did you choose Coburg to set up your shop?
NABILA: I grew up around the northern suburbs of Melbourne, so this is a familiar place to me. The community in Coburg is nice. I’ve done a bit of op-shopping up Sydney Rd, and so I decided that Coburg is probably the right area for us.
We were originally in a small office on Moreland Rd, but it was quiet with not much foot traffic. I was asked to try and find a good spot once the lease was up, and I came across this spot and tried my luck.
MEDDLER: Are you facing any challenges?
NABILA: Well, I’ve never done anything like this before. The opportunity for me to start this store feels like it came out of nowhere. I’ve found that the biggest challenge is figuring out how to grow as a business. I think it will depend on more people knowing about us through customer loyalty.
We’ve received a bit of support with our business from the council. But we also get it in less predictable ways; for example, I have a friend who does the packing, moving and clearing of deceased estates. Families of these estates often want to donate a lot of their loved ones homes, so that helps.
MEDDLER: How can the community support you more?
NABILA: We’re trying to get volunteers to help me and my sister with the store. Otherwise, we accept donations of homewares, books, toys, shoes and accessories. We don’t take furniture because we don’t have the space. In the future, I would love to open something bigger to accept furniture.
The Coburg Meddler 