"Waste not, want not."
This old saw could be the motto of Goods for the Planet, a new store in South Lake Union. Recently opened on Jan. 20, Goods for the Planet specializes in earth-friendly products for the home and garden-products that will enhance customers' lifestyles while benefiting the environment.
The store promotes sustainability by selling wares that help reduce consumption or energy use, are made of renewable or recycled materials, are manufactured in a way that reduces harm to the environment and can themselves be recycled.
Suppliers will be local whenever possible.
Owners Chris Raver and Suzanne O'Shea call the store "the kind of place where we always wanted to shop."
"Shoppers don't have to dig through shelves looking for the least harmful version of a product," O'Shea said, "because everything in our store is chosen with an eye toward its effect on the environment."
"We've done tons of research on products to determine whether or not something is sustainable," added Raver. Part of their mission is educational: to introduce people to a "greener" way of life.
The store's broad inventory ranges from home décor items and bed-and-bath linens to toys, solar gadgets, outdoor furniture, gardening supplies, cleaning products and books.
Among the most exemplary items are towels of woven bamboo (softer than terrycloth), stylish purses made of recycled tires and "plantable stationery"-greeting cards with wildflower seeds embedded in the paper, which the recipient can plant after reading.
The store is also a recycling drop for ink cartridges, electronics and used light bulbs.
Raver and O'Shea met in Oregon in eighth grade. Friends through high school, they headed off to different colleges and fell out of touch. When it became possible to search online for someone, O'Shea sought Raver. She was successful, and their friendship resumed.
Raver had developed a career in computer science, working for many years in customer service at Nordstrom. She learned how a large retail store is run, and helped keep it organized.
Meanwhile, O'Shea became a drafter in various engineering firms and agencies in Oregon (one of her favorite projects involved solar design). More recently, she worked as a bookkeeper in San Francisco for several years.
After Raver and O'Shea reconnected, they talked about the directions of their lives. "Mine's a typical story of frustration with the corporate world," Raver said. "I wanted to do something that better fit my values, and made a difference. I wanted to contribute to living in a positive way."
About a year-and-a-half ago, the two women decided to open Goods for the Planet together. They found a one-story building that used to be a bank branch, then housed something called Bozotronics and, most recently, served as a storage space for a nearby business.
The store's location is consistent with the nature of its merchandise. "South Lake Union is booming," Raver said, adding, "but in a green way."
They hired Mason Lantiegne, so far their only employee. He has extensive retail experience, and "he was an invaluable help to us as we prepared to open," O'Shea said.
Last Friday, Jan. 19, the eve of their grand opening, they held a party. Guests included friends and city government folks who work for gardening and recycling programs.
That party may be over, but Raver and O'Shea said they plan to host other in-store events that promote earth-friendly choices. "We acknowledge that you can't consume your way to sustainability," Raver explained. "But the choices you make when you buy something are important."
Both owners know they don't have all the answers, and are looking forward to learning-right along with their customers.
Goods for the Planet, 525 Dexter Ave. N., is on the southwest corner of Dexter and Mercer. For more information, visit www.goodsfor-theplanet.com or call 652-2327.[[In-content Ad]]
