It might have been a decade in the making, but Hari Mari, the Texas-based sandal brand that donates one percent of its sales to fight pediatric cancer, has always dreamed of opening a flagship. That dream just came true in Dallas’ Knox District, one of the city’s most vibrant nightlife and shopping areas.
Each portion of the store, designed by MoWax Visual, highlights a different feature of the brand’s identity. The eastern wall pays homage to the definition of Hari, Indonesian for “of the sun,” with the western wall reflecting Mari, Latin for “of the sea,” with nods to travel, exploration and adventure throughout. The store will also serve as a gathering space for customers. The bar will serve complimentary ranch waters, bloody marys and local craft beer on tap. The second story will serve as the brand’s event space for parties, yoga classes and corporate gifting events.
“We want a store where a customer can not only shop the entire collection but also hear our brand story, learn about our Flop Fighting Cancer initiative, our memory foam patented toe piece…the list goes on,” says Lila Stewart, co-founder of Hari Mari. “We’re putting our stamp here in Dallas, our hometown, to start and we’re looking to open an additional two to three locations in 2022 in the South and Southeast.”
As for opening the store in the (hopefully) waning days of a pandemic, Stewart says the timing is ideal. “People are ready to get out and shop,” she says, noting the brand saw momentum during the pandemic. “We’re excited to expand not only at the retail level but also additional opportunities like apparel.”
