Good Practice - Project
The start-up of the Kring boutique in the Hageland region of Flanders
A social enterprise used LEADER funding to set up a stylish boutique selling quality second-hand items, supporting both reuse and the long-term unemployed.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M19: LEADER/CLLD
Summary
Since 1996, the social enterprise De Kringwinkel Hageland has been collecting reusable items from inhabitants of the Hageland district in the Flemish region of Belgium and selling them at their thrift shops and online. However, their existing outlets were not suited to the sale of more unique or high-quality garments. In this context, the social enterprise used LEADER support to set up ‘About Queens and their dresses’ – a boutique offering stylish second-hand women’s clothing and accessories for a reasonable price at a historic location in Tienen. Following its launch, the boutique had an average of almost ten customers a day. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it attracted almost 3 000 customers and a sales volume of around €90 000.
A training package for the boutique’s employees has been developed between the reuse centre network in Flanders (Kingwinkell Reset) and the adult training centre (CVO).
Results
Following its launch, the boutique had an average of almost ten customers a day. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it attracted almost 3 000 customers and a sales volume of around EUR 90000.
A training package for the boutique’s employees has been developed between the reuse centre network in Flanders (Kingwinkell Reset) and the adult training centre (CVO).
Promoter
De Kringwinkel Hageland vzw
Funding
Total budget 48 402 (EUR)
EAFRD 3 000 (EUR)
National/Regional 3 000 (EUR)
Private/other 42 402 (EUR)
Keywords
Resources
Documents
gp_be_boutique_651_web_fin.pdf
(PDF – 314.23 KB)
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