Saving Store Du Nord
Donation protected
For all of you who value quality and craftsmanship...
I started my journey with Store Du Nord in August 2019, happy as a little kid to finally live my dream of owning my own specialty menswear store. Having spent 20 years working for bosses and learning so much in this ever changing business of fashion, I decided to take the great leap and open my store.
As a huge lover of quality denim, artisanal craftsmanship and supporting independent niche brands, I felt the need to tell the stories of the brands I work with at Store Du Nord. Focusing on creating a memorable experience for my customers, my drive and passion comes from telling the stories behind the brands I work with. Whether it's a one-man brand from Spain crafting the best possible jeans, or an independent design studio in Beijing that makes recreations of workwear based on patterns from the 1920s and 30s... they have a story that I want to tell.
Store Du Nord, for me, is so much more than just a shop that sells quality clothing. It is about pursuing craftsmanship and top notch quality, being transparent and helping other small businesses in order to grow together.
And the start was so good!
But then... the world stopped turning and began burning.
Just like so many other businesses, my own is taking some heavy hits and now my dream is on the verge of becoming a nightmare.
With my turnover having dropped to about 20% of what it was since opening, it doesn't take a genius to see that it will get harder and harder to make ends meet and stay open.
With a minor severance pack from the government, and a bit of social welfare for independent business owners (never thought I would be in that cycle), I was able to pay a few bills but the mountain peak is getting more and more out of sight.
As I work with many independent brands, and a few international brands, the bills are stacking up. Add the rent of the store space, that won't see any lenience from the landlord, and you can imagine that liquidity is very much at risk.
Now this isn't a cry for help in terms of "hey, I need money from you to pay the bills!", no... This is me, Jeroen, reaching out to you to support me and my business so that I can stay open but also can keep working and growing with the many independent makers I work with. If I can't survive this pandemic, it also means a huge hit for them and I want all of us to survive this.
It is my mission to educate consumers on true and honest quality, on helping them understand my philosophy of "buy less, choose well" so that we put less pressure on the environment and that we, together, nurture our beloved planet.
There is so much wrong in the (fast) fashion industry and even though I am just a little dot in the spectrum, I want to make a change together with my suppliers and you.
I want you to believe what I believe, which is that there is a better alternative to mainstream clothing brands. With Store Du Nord I am climbing that mountain, and I made a good start but now I face some obstacles. I need your help. Not just for me, but for every craftsmen I work with.
Will you join me, and support me, on my journey?
I started my journey with Store Du Nord in August 2019, happy as a little kid to finally live my dream of owning my own specialty menswear store. Having spent 20 years working for bosses and learning so much in this ever changing business of fashion, I decided to take the great leap and open my store.
As a huge lover of quality denim, artisanal craftsmanship and supporting independent niche brands, I felt the need to tell the stories of the brands I work with at Store Du Nord. Focusing on creating a memorable experience for my customers, my drive and passion comes from telling the stories behind the brands I work with. Whether it's a one-man brand from Spain crafting the best possible jeans, or an independent design studio in Beijing that makes recreations of workwear based on patterns from the 1920s and 30s... they have a story that I want to tell.
Store Du Nord, for me, is so much more than just a shop that sells quality clothing. It is about pursuing craftsmanship and top notch quality, being transparent and helping other small businesses in order to grow together.
And the start was so good!
But then... the world stopped turning and began burning.
Just like so many other businesses, my own is taking some heavy hits and now my dream is on the verge of becoming a nightmare.
With my turnover having dropped to about 20% of what it was since opening, it doesn't take a genius to see that it will get harder and harder to make ends meet and stay open.
With a minor severance pack from the government, and a bit of social welfare for independent business owners (never thought I would be in that cycle), I was able to pay a few bills but the mountain peak is getting more and more out of sight.
As I work with many independent brands, and a few international brands, the bills are stacking up. Add the rent of the store space, that won't see any lenience from the landlord, and you can imagine that liquidity is very much at risk.
Now this isn't a cry for help in terms of "hey, I need money from you to pay the bills!", no... This is me, Jeroen, reaching out to you to support me and my business so that I can stay open but also can keep working and growing with the many independent makers I work with. If I can't survive this pandemic, it also means a huge hit for them and I want all of us to survive this.
It is my mission to educate consumers on true and honest quality, on helping them understand my philosophy of "buy less, choose well" so that we put less pressure on the environment and that we, together, nurture our beloved planet.
There is so much wrong in the (fast) fashion industry and even though I am just a little dot in the spectrum, I want to make a change together with my suppliers and you.
I want you to believe what I believe, which is that there is a better alternative to mainstream clothing brands. With Store Du Nord I am climbing that mountain, and I made a good start but now I face some obstacles. I need your help. Not just for me, but for every craftsmen I work with.
Will you join me, and support me, on my journey?
Organizer
Jeroen Du Nord
Organizer
