Save Dollars while saving the Ecology”

Today I visited a shop on Rockwell just south of Lawrence Avenue in Chicago. This particular store is unique in that they are a “zero-waste” General Store. You may ask, “what does that mean”? It s pretty simple and once you enter the store ( or their second location in Evanston) you will see a new way of doing business that will save you money and at the same time, save our environment.

Let’s talk about dollars first as this is of great importance to each and everyone of us ( unless you are a millionaire). How often do you purchase items such as soaps, detergents, spices, nuts, fruit and many more? These items are in jards, boxes or other containers, right? Each time you purchase a replacement, what happens to the old container? You probably dispose of it in the garbage, right? Where does that go? Often, we do not really know, but we do know that most of it does have an impact on our ecology.

With Eco & The Flamingo, there are no new containers. You bring back yours and re-fill, thus you are not paying for the new jar, can or whatever, only the contents you are in need of. Jackie, one of the creators of this concept store with partner Bethany ( two good friends who wanted to start a business that would be good for them and for the community, and perhaps in the long run, humanity) showed me around and I watched her regulars who came in to replenish their supplies. It is unique. They have special scales that are used to weight the purchases. The consumer first weighs the actual container they are using. After they do the “fill”( or are assisted by Jackie) the container is weighed again, and then deducts the original number on the scale ( the container’s weight) so they are only paying for the product. This is fair and honest and the proper way to do business.

The store is filled with amazing items. Name a spice ( for cooking) it is there! You like dried fruit? Nuts of all types? Coffee? Tea? they have it in bulk and you are not paying for the label, the brand advertising, the packaging. You just fill your container and pay for the actual product and off you go!  It is the simplicity of this that I found intriguing. The customers who came in understood the concept and love the shop. I can see why.

There  are soaps ( body, hand, lotions and more) and the ladies pride themselves on trying to buy their goods from local vendors. That eliminates some of the costs and saves money,

One of the hand soaps is named “Plain Jane”- it is a non-odor soap that I know Jane will adore as she sniffs everything and prefers no odors! These ladies thought of everything!

They call it a general store because they have other items such as jewelry, towels, brushes  ( many items made of bamboo) and a host of other items that are all part of their plan. To save our planet ( one customer at a time).

Everything in their store is based on their commitment to make eco-friendly living more accessible with items for “on the go”, Bath, body and hair products, health, skin and beauty care, oral care ( I tried a new way of brushing my teeth- no tube to worry about squeezing), kitchen items home goods, laundry herbal products and remedies- I must tell you it is worth the visit.

The store I visited, the original ( once removed- which I will talk about on WCPT820 Sunday) is at 4750 N. Rockwell- phone 773-942-6892 and in Evanston, they are located at  1551 Sherman Avenue ( downtown)

their website is www.ECOandtheFLAMINGO.com.

These ladies started this operation during the Covid era and my hat is off to them for making it as they did. They started down a few doors on Rockwell and outgrew the store within months. The Evanston location came about when the town saw what they were doing and the value to the community. I would hope that a shop like this would be an asset to every community and neighborhood.

The items are all items that we use and need, so may I suggest you give it a look. I think you will be pleased with what you experience and in the long run, you will save money and the ecology!