TAKE 5
left: Hrisi Todeva, Mihaela Todeva, Leny Dimitrova and Stamena Dimitrova are the all-woman team behind Bath’s new zero-waste shop; above: Refillable offers an easy way for shoppers to reduce their plastic usage
A FAMILY AFFAIR
Stamena Dimitrova, along with her daughter, Leny, sister, Hrisi and her niece, Misha has launched Refillable, a zero-waste shop on London Road
Why did you start a zerowaste shop?
The idea came during the lockdown – initially I wanted to take over a little greengrocer that became available. But my daughter Leny and I have been feeling guilty for a long time about our plastic consumption – we are constantly encouraged by media and the government to reduce plastic, but accessible platforms for doing that are not that easy to find yet. The shop idea was born out of wanting to take action, be proactive and create an accessible way for consumers to reduce their plastic consumption. Was it a complicated process?
We spent many days, weeks and months strategizing, researching,
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planning and taking small steps forward. The amount of learning we did in this initial stage – it’s absolutely mind boggling! The more research we did, the more excited and inspired we got, because we realised there is a big ‘underground’ world of manufacturers and producers that actually can enable us all to live more sustainably. You can find everything you need in your daily life, plastic-free. Years ago, the range of items was very limited, but no more. Why did you choose Bath to open the shop?
Bath is such an eco-conscious city. People here are forwardthinking, open minded and driven to make a difference. We chose
Bath because I love the city, the market is ready and waiting for a shop like this, and we found the perfect location. Refillable is in an iconic old grocery store with over 37 years of history. It was time to continue with the legacy but bring a new, fresh look and feel to it. How has the shop changed?
When we came to see the empty shop first, it was in a shocking state. It was dark, worn out and falling apart. Rather than repaint, we decided to check underneath the old plaster – it turned out that sections of the walls are actually made of original Bath stone. We exposed the stone and went for as natural materials as possible for the décor. The shop has an industrial look, using reclaimed wood, metal pipes, old cable reels and old pallets. It is looking beautiful now and it has such a special vibe and energy. And the beautiful murals on the walls?
We commissioned local artist Nicola Davis to create an iconic mural on one of our walls. We went with Nicola for her talent and her entrepreneurial skills. Using her work also aligns with our values – to support local and to promote young female entrepreneurs.
What would you say to a zerowaste newbie?
Come and play. Literally – we joke that the shop is a play-ground for adults! Containers and jars line the walls, making the shop look so interesting and exciting. We use scoops and handles that, when pulled down, dispense beautiful, colourful food. We are here to help initially, too. Do you think 2020 has changed people’s habits when it comes to sustainability?
As a result of the lock down – I’d say the positive aspect of the lockdown – is that we slowed down a bit. We started noticing and attending to life in a different way – we became more mindful. With that mindfulness came more attention and a desire to get back to basics – performing with care tasks like food preparation, gardening and all the little daily things that we didn’t think much of before. A zero-waste shop extends this experience further. You can refill your daily essentials, you can make your own peanut butter with a push of a green button, you can have a nutrient-packed, freshly squeezed orange juice – all completely plastic-free. Refillable; 3 Cleveland Place East, London Road; tel: 01225 444477; www.refillable.shop
