Green in BKLYN — Local services in New York

The store has quality products but it's extremely unfortunate that they are the embodiment of the cliche about most "green" stores ... i.e. that they are extremely overpriced and actually make things more complicated rather than easier. I've gone way out of my way to go to this store for two products that I need ... the CO2 canisters for the Soda Stream and refills for Uncommon Goods cleaning products. Of the latter, I love the idea of refilling bottles of dishsoap and laundry detergent so as not to waste tons of plastic. However, the dishsoap bottles that the company makes are small and it's inconvenient to carry a bunch of small bottles to refill so that my family has enough dishsoap for a few weeks. Instead, I usually bring a larger plastic bottle from another brand that clearly has the amount of ounces labeled on it since the cleaning liquids are sold by the ounce. The owner informed me that she couldn't sell me the liquids in a bottle that wasn't from the company because then she'd have to weigh it and that requires a permit from city. WHAT???!! That's the most ridiculous thing I've every heard AND it's not at all "green" and certainly has nothing to do with reasonable customer service, so I WILL NOT be patronizing this store again. Fortunately, the Uncommon Goods products are sold at Choice Greene (and they don't mind what container you put them in because they are capable of reading the ounces on the label) and the Soda Stream containers can be purchased at Target, Bed Bath Beyond, etc ... I'm all for supporting local businesses unless those businesses make it too...

I had a terrible experience here. I went in to buy some soap and laundry detergent and the woman was on her phone which is fine until I needed help and 15 mins passed by she was still on her phone. I interrupted and asked a question, she answered it quickly and goes back to her phone and says, “sorry, I usually don’t work on Tuesdays.” Then I ask her another question and she looks annoyed. She didn’t answer half of my questions so I just left. I guess she had no interest in sustainability.

Update: Not sure where there’s a misunderstanding. She was on her phone and apologized to her caller because I had a question during her personal call. She couldn’t answer any questions I had regarding the products. Took her 15 to acknowledge...

One of my favorite local shops, great selection of items, friendly staff and hands down some of the best customer service in brooklyn. Things are on the pricer side like most stores of this nature but it's nice to know where the things you're buying are coming from and having a trusty source for green products. Sure you could save some money ordering offline but not only are you creating so much excess waste getting the item offline but you're also missing the opportunity to support an incredible local small business. Also a great place to pick up locally made gifts for friends and loved ones. All around an incredible shop, go...