There are already so many local small business owners in Waldo that I feature on this blog…and here’s another one: Soap Refill Station, at 7441 Broadway, a few steps south of Waldo Pizza. Soap Refill Station just opened late last month.
The concept for this business is simple and timely: bring your own container to the shop and refill with one of their natural soaps and cleaners. The motto is “If you clean it, we have something eco-friendly to clean it with”. Anne Dezort, who owns the shop with her boyfriend Adam McKay, explained that many other countries have a similar type of business, and they regularly used one while living in California. Anne and Adam opened the first Soap Refill Station in Springfield, MO and it became very popular—people from Kansas City would drive to Springfield specifically to refill their bottles and jars! There is a second location Sante Fe, New Mexico and this is their third store. Waldo was chosen as the site after much research and consultation with area residents and the Waldo CID, which was “very helpful”.
So here’s how it works: bring in your jar, bucket, bottle, whatever (you can also purchase them at the store or take from the donated containers basket) and browse the shop, filling up on what you need: there are cleansers for your face/ body, laundry, and home. Weigh the contents on the scale and pay by the ounce—you can purchase as little as one ounce of product just to give it a trial run at home, or stock up large jugs to last several months. All soaps have no artificial scents and many are allergen free. There is also a “house brand” line of products that are mixed in Springfield. Annie and Adam also carry several essential oils if you do want to scent the soaps you buy. Both are very customer service oriented and will walk you through the options as to what would work best for your specific cleaning needs. This shop is perfect for your own personal shopping or to purchase special, unique scented gifts for friends and family. And of course, it’s very environmentally friendly!
Anne says ” We firmly believe that what we are doing is making a difference. We just want to be a utility for those who are already trying to make less impact on the planet. In less than two years our three shops together have kept over 30,000 containers out of the landfills, waterways, and even recycling centers.”
Soap Refill Station is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-6pm; hours may expand in the future. The shop is just south of Waldo Pizza at 7441 Broadway. Please stop in and welcome Adam and Annie to the Waldo community!
First, a little background on the house: Richard Wornall purchased the 500 acres of farmland in 1843, stretching from State Line to Main St and 59th to 67th Streets, taking out a loan of $2500. (These days that amount isn’t even a down payment on a Brookside home!) He and his family first lived in a cabin on the homestead until the house was built. They farmed the land, selling grain and animals in Westport. Eventually, Richard and Judith’s sons, John and Thomas, inherited the property. Soldiers took over the house during the Civil War and used it as a field hospital as the Battle of Westport was taking place nearby (in present day Loose Park). Pieces of land were sold off through the years, and finally, John Wornall’s third wife, Roma, sold the remaining 150 acres to JC Nichols. In 1963, the property was purchased by the Jackson County Historical Society and is now a free standing, non profit entity in conjunction with the Alexander Majors House at 8201 State Line Road.
This long time, locally owned business was what Waldo was all about: area folks who started a business from scratch, grew into a respected institution and earned a well deserved reputation for excellent customer service. Dave and his wife Bette ran the shop at 7432 Wornall for over fifty years. Dave started out with a few lamps and a willingness to learn by doing. Slowly, the business grew and the store expanded, with local guys who liked to tinker with parts helped out the owners. Bette added home decor to the huge inventory of lampshades and bases. Dave could make a lamp out of just about anything –customers came by with sentimental pieces such as an old bottle, toy, a piece of sports equipment or musical instrument and Dave would get to work, fashioning a unique, workable table or floor lamp. If you just needed a part, or a lamp repair–Dave and Bette were there as well, ready to help and tackle the job. Through the years, both were active in the Waldo business association, participating in promotions and neighborhood events. 
Although this can be the most boring time of year……there’s always 
I stopped by this week to take a look –I haven’t eaten there yet and I’m not a food critic anyway! I was impressed the first thing I saw was four employees, including assistant general manager Patricia Allen, conducting a food tasting for quality, taste and appearance before the lunch rush. The other impressive aspect of this place is the amount of food you get for the price–the plate is piled high with all of the fresh ingredients you choose–easily a full pound of food that could feed two, or at least enough for leftovers! The base of your food “bowl” can be rice, green salad or Japanese noodles. Proteins include two types of chicken (one is spicy), steak, and tofu. And there’s a maze of toppings: hot choices are black beans, sprouts, and potatoes, plus ten cold toppings (veggies, etc). There are six sauce options, which you can taste before you order at a station by the soft drinks–that’s so handy for those who aren’t sure which to try and for picky children! All of this food, on one plate, for under $10! Extra options include kimchi, fresh pineapple and miso soup. There are a few seats if you want to dine in.
If you are planning on starting your holiday shopping this weekend…why fight the crowds at the mall? Shop Small in Brookside and Waldo–as this Saturday is Small Business Saturday! 
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 