The early signs weren’t promising for Scout. The first premises which opened in 2010 was in an odd spot, on a quiet street with bad parking. People told Orlando Mesiti that he was crazy. But the little old haberdasher’s shop on Grey Street in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda had something about it, and it was soon filled with a collection of wonderful homewares including some fine vintage stuff lovingly curated from coffee-fuelled pre-dawn trips to European flea markets.
Despite its apparent handicaps, Scout had soon outgrown its original location and was on the lookout for another larger premises. Orlando has stayed loyal to his St Kilda neighbourhood by opening the second Scout House on Fitzroy Street, and while the footprint is bigger, the blueprint remains the same. Well-made items with durability, a great look and a flourish of originality, sniffed out from markets and salvage yards by the Scout team. Another trip to Europe is imminent for Orlando and the gang, with focus shifting from retro to more classic designs.
