Dallas-based Hari Mari has taken another big step toward world flip-flop domination with the opening of its first retail store, at 208 South Haskell Ave.
The shop is tucked inside company headquarters in East Dallas, between Deep Ellum and Fair Park. It was a move they had been thinking about for a while, says company founder Jeremy Stewart.
"We've been so fortunate over the years to have customers come to our headquarters wanting to purchase from us directly," he says in a release.
Fans of the socially conscious shoe company needn't worry that distribution is slowing down, however. They can still purchase their favorite flops from the brand's website, through Zappos.com, and from more than 500 brick-and-mortar stores in 48 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, the Bahamas, and United Arab Emirates.
Hari Mari has been on a skyrocketing trajectory since Stewart and his wife, Lila, launched it in 2012. It quickly became known not only for its colorful and comfy flip-flops, but for its philanthropic mission to help kids around the world. The company donates 1 percent of every pair of flip-flops sold to help those battling pediatric cancer, through the campaign Flops Fighting Cancer.
The Stewarts started the brand after spending time in Indonesia, where they both worked on projects that benefited children there. Jeremy made a documentary about helping hungry kids, while Lila volunteered in orphanages. Hari Mari means "of the sun, of the sea" in Indonesian and Latin, respectively.
In six years, Hari Mari flip-flops — designed for comfort and made with premium materials — have become a favorite of celebrities, vacationers, and everyday casual dressers. (Joanna Gaines, Zac Efron, and Andy Roddick were spotted wearing them in 2017.)
With the Dallas retail store, the company hoped to translate its laid-back culture in a comfortable and creative space, they say. On the walls are murals painted by local artists such as Kyle Steed. Customers can shop the entire collection while sipping a beverage or cocktail from local vendors. On-site monogramming can be done, too.
The retail shop is not the only new development for the growing company.
They've recently relaunched a new-and-improved version of their original "Parks" sandal for $55. They've also just expanded their kids offering.
"We just launched four new kids colors, but we've also added to our sizing and can now outfit babies all the way to adults," says Lila Stewart.
And very soon, Neiman Marcus will begin carrying the brand online. Products should be live on their site during the first week of April, Lila Stewart says. If all goes well, they could be carried in store in the future.
As for their own stores, the Stewarts have no plans for additional brick-and-mortar locations, they say. The East Dallas shop is open from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday.
Hari Mari has opened its first retail store in East Dallas.
