Mr. Whetstone - Saltaire - Sustainable Store

Mr. Whetstone

My name is Annie and I live in Saltaire.

I am on a little bit of a mission and would love for you to join me.

I am about to open a low waste sustainable store cupboard shop in the heart of Saltaire village.

My mission is to create an accessible shop within my community that will provide affordable and sustainable every day shopping choices to AS MANY PEOPLE as possible.

How you can help me

Your £ = less plastic + a happ(ier) community + a happ(ier) planet.

It's all or nothing so here goes...

Any donation that you can make will help keep the set up costs/ overheads to a minimum, which will help massively towards ensuring that prices in the shop are kept as low as possible.

I may well tattoo your name on my big toe if you do donate...

Why                                                                                

Quite simply, because it is SO important. 

I am so sad and frustrated by the mainstream consumer 'options' we are given when buying household essentials. I also feel completely overwhelmed when I see so so so much packaging. 

Surviving on a budget (whatever the amount) is really hard and most of us are forced to make daily compromised choices as a result.

The supermarkets determine and dictate our consumer behaviours. Unnecessary/excessive packaging continues to be seen down every aisle. 

The alternative options within the large retailers are rare and/or more expensive.

EVERYONE should be able to buy their weekly shop without the additional responsibility of the guilt that unravels alongside the unnecessary unsustainable waste it produces.

The Mission...                                                                           

...is to provide an alternative option for my local area that gives people the choice of buying good quality, sustainable products without breaking the bank OR THE PLANET.

The goal is to eliminate packaging at the source and put power back into the hands of the consumer by making plastic-free shopping easy and affordable.

I really want to help make it easier for people to work towards and achieve a zero waste lifestyle with the principles of Bea Johnson's proven 5Rs method.

The Background                                                            

My Grandad was a milkman.                                                       

My Grandma worked all her life on an East End market. 

I think that there must be something in the genes and that it is my turn to don the apron.

What                                                                              

The Location

The shop is situated on Victoria Road - slap bang in the centre of Saltaire village.

Back in 1903, the shop was a greengrocers.

Taking this beautiful building back to its roots and creating a community focused store cupboard of a store within it makes me smile. A lot.

The Sustainable Store Cupboard                                  

Mr. Whetstone's is going to have a refillery stocked full of;

• all sorts of store cupboard dry goods (rice, pasta, beans, pulses, flour, sugar, cereal, dried fruits, herbs, spices) 
• oils and vinegars
• coffee and tea
• household cleaning and laundry liquids
• shampoo, conditioner, hand and body washes

Everyone will be able to bring and fill their own tubs, jars and bottles to (recyclable/reusable containers will also be available to buy) - taking home quantities that suit the size of their household, without the additional wasted packaging that has nowhere to go except landfill.

This is how we do it...

Sitting alongside the refill station, will be a selection of sustainable (biodegradable, compostable, recycled/recyclable) everyday essentials (toilet roll, dish cloths, toothbrushes, face wipes, food storage, feminine hygiene etc).

Partnerships with local suppliers of bread, cakes, veg boxes, eggs and flowers/plants are also in progress.

Ideas are also taking shape for workshops/talks to be held in the cellar room as well as collaborations with local organisations that support low incomes, the homeless and mental health awareness.

The plan is to maximise sustainability from the shop by supporting local business and providing much of the shopping list from one lovely central plastic free place.

Where possible, the products for sale will support a circular economy.                

My website (a work in progress) has more info on what is going to be in store.

My Problem                                                                                                                                                           

This venture is going to be a labour of love. 

UNDETERRED BY THIS,  I just want to do something that is going to help my local community do what we can towards preserving our planet.

I really really want to keep the overheads/set up costs at low as possible and pass on any savings on to the customer - so that sustainable, package free shopping is a realistic option for as many people as possible with varying income/budgets.

I have no wads of cash, shareholders, long lost uncles or loans - just a very very small amount of money that I have worked really really hard for and saved and that I need to spread a very long way.

What will become of your donation

All money raised through this crowdfunding mission will be used for the following essential (but blimmin costly) elements of the set up/install;

• Gravity Dispensers
• Stockroom Storage Containers
• Self Weigh Scales and Till/Payment System
• Security System
• Shop Fittings and Fixtures (repurposed/salvaged where possible)

Every single penny that you are able to give will make a MASSIVE difference to me, my community and, in turn, this planet.

Why help me

Because you look good on the dance floor.

Because you are good and kind.

Because you understand how important it is to support a community and also for each community to have the chance to work towards a more sustainable way to live.

Because I will tattoo your name on my big toe if you do...

I will... the biggest donation gets the left foot.

The right foot is reserved for the names of Dawn o Porter, Deborah Frances White, Bea Johnson, Hannah Turner, Julia Benfield, Ele Noon, Mama, Charlottebigsis, Sophlittlesis, Anna F, Mr. Footie and all the other inspirations that have helped me get this far with their kindness, encouragement and donations (I know, I know, the writing is going to have to be very small! My big toe is very big).

The only constant is change. 

Be the change.

Hop on board the toe tattooed army.

Thank you, Thank you. Thank you.

Anna x x