In a continuation of our local sustainable businesses series we are highlighting green retail stores and companies this week. Similar to grocery stores, many retail locations deal with the inherent environmental issues of plastic bags and over packaged products. Furthermore, the goods offered by many retailers are the results of unsustainable and polluting supply/manufacturing chains. A big example of this is fast-fashion: the major part of the fashion industry dedicated to mass production of inexpensive clothing in response to rapidly evolving trends. An average cotton t-shirt requires in excess of 1,500 liters of water for its production, this is enough fresh drinking water to sustain a human for 900 days. From there studies have shown that these shirts may only be worn 7 times with very few making it to 30 wears. This is just a snapshot of the unsustainable practices surrounding much of our consumerism. Luckily, there are better alternatives that allow you to get your shop on and support local businesses without feeling guilty!
The Green Store
639 Main St. Cincinnati 45202
Wednesday-Sunday: 11am-7pm
The Green Store is a pop-up shop focused on featuring ethical, eco-friendly fashion and lifestyle products. In the words of its owner, Joi Sears: “In an effort to promote conscious consumerism, the store offers sustainable alternatives for common household products, tools to help promote a zero-waste lifestyle, and a variety of chic, stylish, and affordable and sustainable clothing.” Keep up to date with the stores rotating product lines and location/hours via its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenStoreCincy/ .
Photo and shop information courtesy of cinicychic.com
Indigo Hippo
1334 Main Street, Cincinnati OH 45202
Thursday - Saturday 12-5pm by Appointment (Due to Covid)
Indigo Hippo is a nonprofit creative reuse center located in the heart of OTR. They take donations of used art supplies and materials to resale on a pay-what-you-can pricing model. This is meant to make art accessible to all and to maximize the life and use of all materials! Check them out and make an appointment to visit at: https://www.indigohippo.org/ .
Photo and shop information courtesy of indigohippo.org
Building Value
4040 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Monday-Saturday: 9am-6pm
Building Value is a construction salvage company that deconstructs and removes reusable materials from sites prior to demolition or rehabilitation. These materials are then sold out of the Northside store front at deeply discounted prices direct to consumers. This makes home improvement projects more affordable and lengthens the life of architectural materials. Learn more: https://buildingvalue.org/about/
Photo and store information courtesy of buildingvalue.org
Fern
6040 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati OH
Wednesday-Saturday: 11am-6pm
Sunday: 12pm-5pm
Fern is a unique plant shop operating out of an old gas station in College Hill. The store seeks to meld the design and nature, offering a unique menagerie of indoor house plants paired with hand crafted ceramic pots and objects. The owner believes that plants are the easiest way to change the environment of a space and offers many the opportunity to do just that while also teaching about in depth care and maintenance of these plants.
Their beautiful website can be found at: https://fern-shop.com/.
Photo and information courtesy of fern-shop.com
Growing Value
Price Hill, Cincinnati and Petersburg, Kentucky
Purchasing Via Appointment
Different from Building Value mentioned a couple shops back, Growing Value is nonprofit nursery associated with the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute. The nursery offers a wide range of useful and edible native plants that will jumpstart any garden. All proceeds go towards the advancement of the Institute’s mission of a more sustainable Cincinnati region through education and concentrated action. Make an appointment for yourself here: http://cincinnatipermacultureinstitute.org/nurseryinfo .
Photo and store information courtesy of cliftonmarket.com
Casablanca
3944 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223
Monday-Thursday: 12-7pm
Friday/Saturday: 12-8pm
Sunday: 12-5pm
Casablanca Vintage is Cincinnati’s go-to destination for vintage clothing and garments. The store is well stocked with period clothing for everyday use or that occasional fancy/appropriate outing. All clothes are found used and restored to the utmost quality and the store also offers repair services for clothes and shoes, allowing you the chance to prolong the life of your favorite articles of clothing and delay the need to purchase environmentally costly new replacements! Check them out at: http://casablancavintage.com/about/
Photo and market information courtesy of hydeparksquare.org
Wooden Nickel
1410 Central Parkway, Cincinnati OH 45202
Wednesday-Friday: 10am-4pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Similar to Building Value, Wooden Nickel is an architectural salvage company specializing in high quality architectural features. The store is best known for buying and reselling antique saloon style bars, a big market in Cincinnati where there were once 1,841 saloons in the city. Other than large bars the store is chock full of beautiful antique furniture and architectural pieces from cornices to bits of wooden trim and even whole pillars. Check out their wide range of products and go on a journey through time here: https://www.woodennickelantiques.net/.
Photo and store information courtesy of woodennickelantiques.net
10,000 Villages
2011 Madison Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45208
Monday-Friday 11am-6pm
Saturday 11am-5pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm
10,000 Villages is the best place to find fair trade goods sourced from all over the world right here in Cincinnati. Featuring products from over 130 artisan groups in about 38 separate countries this is a network of shops found across the US, but we are lucky to have a location right here. Many culturally unique products are often copied and mass produced to be sold at prices that don’t support livable wages for their creators, but 10,000 Villages is sure to offer hand made products at a price that is fair for both the consumer and the producer, wherever they may be. Their website is here: https://www.tenthousandvillages.com/cincinnati#fndtn-home.
Photo and store information courtesy of tenthousandvillages.com
Originalitees
2809 Woodburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Monday-Friday: 11am - 7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12-5pm
Originalitees is a local brand focused on local spirit and pride. They design their own shirts and clothing merchandise (now including masks) to ensure the utmost quality, comfort and affordability. All of their wares can also be found online here: https://originalitees.com/ .
Photo and store information courtesy of originalitees.com
Thrift Shops
A constant theme of this whole list is the reuse and prolonged life of products already produced and out in the consumer world. An entire set of shops dedicated to this notion is Thrift Shops, and supporting local shops is one of the best ways to ethically source new clothing and update your wardrobe, at an incredibly affordable rate! Plus, many thrift stores are nonprofits offering services to disadvantaged populations such as those with disabilities or stuck in poverty. Cincinnati has a wide variety of thrift stores spanning the entire city, but a couple closest to campus are:
New 2 You Thrift Store
206 William Howard Taft Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Tuesday-Friday 11:30am-5:30pm
Saturday 12-4:30
St. Vincent De Paul
4530 Este Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45232
Monday-Sunday 9am-8pm
Goodwill
3080 Markbreit Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Monday-Sunday 10am-9pm