Changes
Read time: 2 minutes
Hello, Hello!
The Short:
The storefront is closing and Refill is moving to a delivery/pick up only operation.
The Long:
Most of my regulars know what was likely to happen in the near future, because it was important to gauge if this was feasible or not for Winnipeg. I was considering closing and having a change of career, but most folks still wanted Refill to stick around and I have interest in seeing if I can innovate the delivery / pick up service I have offered for 5 ½ years.
Yes, deliveries have happened for 5 ½ years, on Wednesday between 5-8pm. There was much trial and error on which day of the week worked best the first 6 months the shop was open, so it was funny when we had a copy cat use our exact day and delivery window when they opened. *cough planet pantry cough*
If you have ever been to Refill you will know and understand that my goal is to make this easy and fun, but also run on a base line of ethical operations, supply chains, and creative practices.
I don’t want to have an empire, so growth will look different for me and I genuinely want to pour more time into the plastics recycling business I co-founded with Helga Jakobson.
I am not ready to spill the entire beans on how the shop will operate, but there will be city-wide delivery that is currently $5 for everybody, pick up at the warehouse that is off the beaten path, and pick up in key neighbourhoods across the city. Currently have a list of locations and will start contacting people in the new year after the holiday chaos, but if you are curious I am aiming to have 12 or more pick up locations.
How will it work?
As it has for years, you make your purchase online where everything is pre-packed in a Deposit Jar of various sizes. You use that container to Refill your container at home, rinse the jar, return it, and then get your deposit back.
I clean, sanitize, and reuse the jar again and again and again.
It’s really that simple.
Buuuut, I will be streamlining operations even more in the early part of 2026, so seasoned customers and new will have an even easier time. I have already have samples on order and am looking for another couple manufacturers for some other reusable packaging options.
That is all I have to say at this time, and as always, questions and comments are welcome.
Marisa