It’s circular economy baby!
Meet Maia, a mother whose passion for sustainability led her to curate preloved clothing for children in the heart of the Hobart CBD.
Step inside the bright yellow space filled to the brim with colourful kids’ clothing, locally handmade toys and sustainable items for parenthood.
After having her first child, Maia quickly discovered how hard it was to find good-quality second-hand baby clothing in Hobart.
“I used to do so much second-hand shopping for myself that when I had my daughter, I was like, where are all the second-hand shops for her?”
After hours spent traipsing through op shops and driving across Hobart for Facebook Marketplace pickups, Maia decided to take matters into her own hands, starting in her hallway,
“My whole hallway was just full of baby clothes for a long time. I was testing whether the buying aspect of it would work. So I just started buying a lot, but there’s definitely a market for it.”
When the space on Liverpool Street became available, formerly home to the iconic Hair Gallery for 25 years, Maia jumped at the chance. Architect by trade, she stripped back the finishes to their original state.
“We pulled four layers of lino up from the floor and it’s come up really well. I did all the design aspect myself and had help from a builder mate who did the work.”
A few months into the trade, Maia was heavily pregnant when her now-colleague Georgia popped in with her youngest child.
“I noticed Maia was pregnant. I said, ‘If you need anyone to work, I’m more than happy to get back into a bit of work.’ So it went from there.”
Since opening in May, Watermelon Sundays has gained quite a following of parents and preloved shoppers alike. Focusing on Australian designers from Gorman, Kip & Co, Goldie and Ace, Ziggy Lou, and Jamie Kay. Ranging from sizes 0000 for newborns to size 4, with plans to expand up to size 8 in the new year – watch this space!
“We’re getting a lot of really positive feedback. People like the concept of being able to sell to us and then find a couple of things to buy as well.”
But the store isn’t just about baby clothes, they’ve expanded into maternity and breastfeeding wear, and stock local treasures like Marching Bambino timber musical instruments, Mesmerised books for newborn eyesight, and titles from Tasmanian authors like Tilly Fry.
“A lot of the brands are only online, so it’s nice to come in and be able to touch and feel the product.”
Maia’s passion for making parenting more sustainable has become a social outlet for others as well.
“We’ll have a shop full of strangers, yet everyone seems to start to chat. It’s really bringing people together. It’s a nice outlet for parents that just want to have a chat with someone that’s not the little ones, it’s their little outings for the day.”
From parents swapping stories to regulars sharing pregnancy news, Watermelon Sundays has garnered a real sense of community amongst customers.
“Sometimes people leave, and we’re like, ‘We really like them. We should have asked for their number!”
And the circular economy is alive and well: customers can sell clothes back to the store, often using the credit to buy new pieces.
“It all goes around. We’ve already seen examples of that, people with older siblings turning things around.”
For those who can’t make it in-store, Maia and Georgia keep the Instagram buzzing with fresh finds.
“Quite often I’ll do a post on socials, and people nab it before it even gets online.”
With free local pickup and a list of accepted brands and prices on their website, the process is simple and transparent.
Shopping for kids’ clothes is an art, and in Hobart, options are limited. Watermelon Sundays offer a sustainable, stylish alternative to big retailers, while supporting local makers and creating a space for parents to connect.
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to shop locally and sustainably,
“We’re doing a little bit better for the planet. Good, practical, and good-quality gifts.”
Make it sustainable this Christmas at Watermelon Sundays.
