Emmaus is launching its bric-a-brac Neighborhood
Posted by adminAfter the large deposits, Emmaus starts now in the "bric-a-brac neighborhood. Based in Paris at Centquatre (the center of artistic creation of 104 rue d'Aubervilliers, XIX), the first such shop opened this week. Nine others should follow in the coming three years after an agreement signed between Emmaus and the City of Paris. In these knick-knacks, buyers will always find so many clothes, furniture or dishes at any price, but small retail space will be reduced (200 to 300 m2) and * opening hours extended to better integrate neighborhood life.
So far, the association only had a Paris address, located at 80 boulevard Jourdan (XIV). For two years, more than 3,000 people flock every Saturday on the 1,000 m2 warehouse for a few hours to exhaust the stock of products recovered during the week.A success that led Emmaus to look for other sites.
It must be said that environmental awareness has boosted donations of used goods while the economic crisis has increased the number of customers looking for bargains. Across the country, 85,000 tonnes of textiles, 65,000 tonnes of furniture and 20,000 tonnes of electrical equipment have been collected by Emmaus in 2008. The resale of these products used generated 148 million euros in 2008 against 142 million in 2007. The 2009 figures should be even better.
Originality of the Parisian experience: the addresses are managed by the association Emmaus Challenge, an offshoot of Emmaus, which uses reintegration of employees and not members of the community."Large urban area offer plenty of room in emergency accommodation, but not many opportunities for employment," says Charles-Edouard Vincent, president of Emmaus Challenge. With its bric-a-brac, it currently employs 80 employees in rehabilitation and aims eventually to bar 300. An experience that is limited for now to the capital which has the largest deposits of products to be collected, and the broader population in need.
Rest now, with the assistance of the City of Paris, to find the space available to open additional stores. And also to find an alternative store to the flagship Boulevard Jourdan. This temporary space is indeed close its doors by the end of September.
* Bric-a-brac Centquatre, 104, rue d'Aubervilliers (XIX). Open Wednesday to Saturday from 15h to 18h. Receiving gifts: Tuesdays from 15h to 18h and 11h to 18h Wednesday through Saturday.Ref.: Www.emmausdefi.org or www.104.fr, under "Shops".