Open Tinkers was Malta’s first high-street science shop, founded by Steve De Micoli of Mattermake. Located at the bustling entrance of Spinola Park, St Julian’s, the shop aimed to bring STEAM education to the public in a playful, visible way. The small, narrow storefront acted like a spatial billboard - its large window framing a dramatic, laser-cut ceiling of ash-veneered MDF that drew people inside.

The interior was entirely custom-designed: a modular shelving system hugged the walls and maximized storage, while furniture was built at child-scale for ease of use. A central table hosted live demonstrations and workshops, encouraging hands-on exploration. The curated product lineup spanned coding, robotics, art, and engineering - each chosen to ignite curiosity and creativity.

More than a shop, Open Tinkers was a bold experiment in accessible learning, design-led education, and reclaiming retail space for curiosity and play.