Here’s all you need to know about our bright, bold, merry new home!
Why a Merry People Store?
Back in 2014, Founder and CEO Dani Pearce followed her dream: to capture the joyful feeling she experienced as a child splashing around in gumboots on her muddy rural property, and bring it to a waterproof boot that worked for everyday life. Starting out selling at markets, then online, a bricks-and-mortar store was the next exciting step for the brand. Today, more than ten years after its launch, the first Merry People Store is open in Melbourne’s Manchester Lane.
“My dad recently told me that when I was a little girl, I walked down one of these iconic Melbourne laneways with him and said, ‘When I grow up, I am going to have a store like this!’” Dani reflects. “It was so lovely to see how proud my parents were that my childhood dream actually came true.”
“I am so excited for our community to finally experience the colour, comfort, versatility, and happy vibes that Merry People spark in all of us.”
The Steps To Our First Store:
Entering The Community Chat
MAY-JULY 2017
Dani, set up her first pop-up store at South Melbourne Market. It was during this time she really connected with her community and realised her colourful, super comfy boots were landing with the locals and the gap in the market for a gumboot was there to be filled.
More Pop Ups and Future Plans
NOVEMBER 2023
Dani dropped the pin in Richmond and then Fitzroy, creating two more pop-up destinations. The response was phenomenal! Boots ran out the door as the community let us know they wanted more. The seed was officially planted for a retail store…
Lease At First Sight
MAY 2025
Melbourne’s CBD is renowned for its culture, fashion and art and Manchester Lane - connecting Flinders Lane and Collins between Swanston and Elizabeth Street - is no exception. Historically, it was a hub of creativity for tailors and milliners, so it made sense for it to be the home of our new store, explains Dani: “It took me a long time to choose the location, but this one really represents Melbourne and its creative history,” she says. “Plus it’s central for our customers who travel from rural areas, interstate and overseas, including those who haven’t discovered us yet.”
Adventure, Unlocked
JULY 2025
In between multiple boot, sandal and clog launches online in Australia, the UK and US, Dani picked up the keys to another stop on the Merry People map, dropping the pin on a pinch-me moment and brand new adventure! With keys in hand and the bones of this beautiful, heritage-listed location ripe for a renovation, the plans began and excitement started.
Building Begins
AUGUST 2025
“Engaging Trust Projects as our builders and Techne to execute the design rounded out the dream team. Both Trust and Techne were referred to me by a retailer friend who had previously worked with them,” says Dani. “Because I was new to the bricks-and-mortar world, it was important for me to work with a team that had experience and whose work I knew and respected.”
The first step once the tools were in hand? Restoring the beautiful heritage-listed roof and ceiling roses, and laying the stunning stone-finish tiles.
Ready, Set, Grow!
SEPTEMBER 2025
As spring sprung, so did the interiors of our Merry People store, welcoming the arrival of our Ficus benjamina, a weeping fig native to Asia and Australia. After its long journey from Newcastle, NSW, it was such a joy to see it take its place in the store!
Best Seat in the Store
OCTOBER 2025
With a design brief to bring the great outdoors indoors, our benches blend the best of both worlds! Created for comfort while you visit the store, check a friend’s merry fit or slip into your own size, each bench is crafted from locally sourced, recycled Spotted Gum from Hurstbridge, Victoria, and are dotted around the store to ground the space in a rich touch of nature.
Finishing Touches and Final Interior Finesse
OCTOBER 2025
“With the opening of our fresh new store only weeks away, it was time for the final touches,” Dani explains. “This included adding lighting to our shelves, sourcing and cleaning rocks for display, and installing our bronze plaques – each with its own story to tell. We also finalised our special recycle drop spot, where you can bring your much-loved, well-worn Merry People boots once you’re done with them.”
This means Merry People boots can enjoy a second life, recycled with our partners into rubber mats and more. “Watch this space for exciting updates on our sustainability journey and new places to recycle!”
The buzz around this bustling spot increased as our exterior began to take shape with the installation of our new store sign, all thanks to the creativity of Good Signs!
Making a Merry Team
OCTOBER 2025
Our amazing Customer Experience Manager, Mo - who has overseen much of the magic happening in the lead-up to our Merry People store - set out early to hand-pick and hire the very best merry team to welcome you into the store. With a merry band of retail pros in-store, excited to help you find your perfect fit for every adventure!
Stock That Sparks Joy
OCTOBER 2025
Now for the fun part!
Over more than 12 hours, our team unpacked pairs and pairs of colourful boots, clogs and sandals to line the store, creating a rainbow of 100% waterproof colour, ripe for the picking!
With over four styles, from bestselling Bobbi Boots to fashion-focused Tully, everyday essential Lochie Sandals to super comfy, slip-on Billie Clogs - plus kids styles, socks and care kits in store - there is something for everyone, any age, any adventure!
Open for Business
NOVEMBER 2025
“There’s a sense of excitement, but also a sense of relief that everything we’ve planned is falling into place,” says Dani, “and the finished product looks exactly like the original design! Standing out the front - by myself - and taking it all in was a pinch-me moment. Then to see the photo board of all the memories we’ve made as a team and community over the years was just amazing.”
“So much work has gone into this space,” says Dani, “but the best part is it has been done with so much heart, creativity and joy - which is what Merry People is all about.”
Want to explore the Merry People Store?
Come visit us at our new home at Shop 2, 11 Manchester Lane, Melbourne 💛
We can’t wait to welcome you in!
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Closed on Public Holidays
Merry People’s first-ever store unlocks a world of colour, adventure and joy. You in?
