![Hipsters are at war in one of Australia’s hippest suburbs as the store accuses its rival of imitating its designs after opening its doors 500 meters away in Newtown. Hipsters are at war in one of Australia’s hippest suburbs as the store accuses its rival of imitating its designs after opening its doors 500 meters away in Newtown.](https://i1.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/05/85344531-13460461-Hands_a_well_established_lifestyle_store_that_s_been_open_for_tw-a-5_1716698604518.jpg?w=634&resize=634,795&ssl=1)
Two stores are at war in one of Australia’s hippest suburbs, claiming one is imitating the other.
Hands, a well-established lifestyle store, has been operating in Newtown, Western Sydney, for two years.
Sharing recently opened its doors 500 meters away and has previously been accused of selling “fake copies and fraudulent versions” of products sold at Hands.
“This has been a nightmare for us,” Hands’ owners said in an Instagram post.
![Hipsters are at war in one of Australia’s hippest suburbs as the store accuses its rival of imitating its designs after opening its doors 500 meters away in Newtown. Hipsters are at war in one of Australia’s hippest suburbs as the store accuses its rival of imitating its designs after opening its doors 500 meters away in Newtown.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/05/85344531-13460461-Hands_a_well_established_lifestyle_store_that_s_been_open_for_tw-a-5_1716698604518.jpg)
Hands, a well-established lifestyle store that has been open for two years, on Wednesday accused Sharing, a new store in the area, of copying it.
![Hands' comparison photos sparked concerned comments from dozens of shoppers.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/05/85344527-13460461-The_comparison_photos_from_Hands_drew_concerned_comments_from_do-a-7_1716698604647.jpg)
Hands’ comparison photos sparked concerned comments from dozens of shoppers.
“From our friends and customers telling us there was a store on King St that was copying and pasting us, to finding out how far the copy actually went.
“We couldn’t believe anyone would do this, and the more we learned, the more disbelief we felt. The “Sharing” store copied our brand colors, the layout, the furniture, the design of our website and the brands we sell – our entire concept.
The little store shared several side-by-side photos comparing the two stores.
They showed that Sharing had similar furniture and products to Hands.
“The more we know, the more unfair it seems,” Hands said.
“Through the blood, sweat and tears of Building Hands, nothing has made us so sad and in disbelief.
“Share, we didn’t agree to share anything with you.”
Sharing hit back at the accusations and suggested that Hands had actually copied its name and brand from Japanese department store Hands.
The Japanese store does not have a presence in Australia and was renamed Tokyu Hands to Hands in late 2022.
“What position are you in to say that others are stealing?” Sharing said.
“We haven’t even officially opened our doors and we’re already being bullied. Why do you claim we sell counterfeits when you have no proof?
“We are very sad! We will focus on our business! »
While Sharing disabled comments on its post, Hands’ comparison sparked concerned comments from dozens of shoppers.
![Sharing recently opened its doors 500 meters away and has previously been accused of selling](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/06/85346039-13460461-image-a-9_1716700562009.jpg)
Sharing recently opened its doors 500 meters away and has previously been accused of selling “fake copies and fraudulent versions” of products sold at Hands.
![Hands shared several side-by-side photos comparing his store and Sharing's, located 500m away.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/05/85344529-13460461-Hands_shared_several_side_by_side_photos_comparing_its_store_and-a-6_1716698604620.jpg)
Hands shared several side-by-side photos comparing his store and Sharing’s, located 500m away.
![Hands accused Sharing of selling “false copies and fraudulent versions of our brands” and copying its brand](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/05/85344525-13460461-Hands_accused_Sharing_of_of_selling_fake_copies_and_rip_off_vers-a-5_1716696619834.jpg)
Hands accused Sharing of selling “false copies and fraudulent versions of our brands” and copying its brand
![The Hands and Sharing stores are located just 500m from each other in Newtown, in Sydney's inner west.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/26/05/85344533-13460461-The_boutiques_Hands_and_Sharing_are_just_500m_from_each_other_in-a-8_1716698604648.jpg)
The Hands and Sharing stores are located just 500m from each other in Newtown, in Sydney’s inner west.
“The exact tables and green sign are crazy, what were they thinking?” we wrote.
“Alone, I would say “coincidence”, but this combination of similarities is alarming. It’s really not good and they’re in the same suburb? What audacity ! said another.
Share owner Ying Liu told ABC Radio they just wanted to succeed as a small business.
“If Hands feels uncomfortable she (sic) can contact us directly. We will concentrate on our own affairs to satisfy everyone,” she said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hands and Sharing for further comment.
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