Transferring premium theme without closing original store

Technical Q&A
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1

Hey team, I currently finished developing a premium theme for a client, I am in the process of migrating to their store, I will download the theme files and plan on repurchasing the theme on their store, I know before that in order to get a refund I would need to close the original store since the premium theme is linked to that store, I would like to know if I purchase the new theme can I keep the original store open? I would like to have all the setting on the original store still there to reference in case we are missing anything

2

Hello,

I am San from MS Web Designer.

If you have created your own theme and want clients to purchase it from the Shopify Theme Store, you must first publish the theme and make it public so that your clients can view and purchase it. Once a client has purchased the theme, it will be automatically added to your store, and then you can customize the theme before publishing it.

Do let me know in case of any concerns.

Regards,

San

3

A few years ago I purchased the premium Galleria theme in the Shopify Theme Store.
Today I’m using a different theme in my own store and wanted to use Galleria in a new store project under my same account – without buying it a second time.

Shopify support told me very clearly:

  • The license is only valid for one store.

  • Transferring the theme to another store is only allowed if the original store is closed and cannot be reopened.

  • For the new store I’m expected to buy the theme again.

For me as a service provider this is a complete no‑go. It is not about the 300 USD – it feels more like losing access to something you already own and having to pay for the same ride again just because you step into a different carriage.

I really dislike paying twice for the identical digital asset, especially when it stays within the same account and would not be used in parallel.

After this new “Shopify-Experience” I will avoid buying themes in the Shopify Theme Store in the future, prefer purchasing directly from theme developers.

And I really find this unnecessary policy disgusting, “ekelhaft”, and I am actively looking at alternative platforms for upcoming projects.

I will not recommend Shopify again.