Keeping it Local at The Realm Refillery

It’s been a while since my mind has been blown; however, the interview I conducted the other day with Ryan Knowles of the Realm Refillery did just that. Along with his wife Brittany Snipes, who had the European-inspired business idea of a “buy just what you need, package-free, locally and ethically sourced grocery store,” they just had their grand opening at 2310 Northeast Broadway. With Ryan hailing from San Diego and Brittany from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, their idea was to create a space where consumers could shop locally and seasonally and purchase products produced ethically. And since the stores’ products are sold in bulk, without any packaging (or the added cost of promoting a brand), the savings on your grocery bill are simply astounding. You pay a lot less for so many items ounce to ounce, and you’re also getting locally-made, higher quality, organic (and as noted) ethically-produced products. You’d think you’d be paying more! But no, and the extra kickers are no plastic waste, and the money spent stays in the local economy. Fabulous.

So how does it all work? It’s simple. You can buy food in bulk at the Realm Refillery, taking things away in recycled paper sacks or refillable glass mason jars. It’s free to join the store’s Loyalty Program, where you pay just $2 per refillable jar, or by becoming a member for $30 a month, where you have unlimited jars as well as discounts and the ability to purchase larger, bulk quantities at a discount. Becoming a member makes sense if you plan to shop semi-regularly or regularly at the store. Once done using the item(s) you purchased, you return to the store with the mason jar(s) and exchange them for free for new, clean ones. An on-site dishwasher keeps the store’s reusable glass packaging supply ready.

These mason jars are the perfect, reusable item for and for safely transporting your food, saving money on your groceries, and reducing packaging waste. Image: Dan Meyers

A look at some of the many bulk bins inside The Realm Refillery. I discovered so many cool things when visiting here! Image: Dan Meyers

The Realm Refillery's products include a deli, fresh produce, fresh bread, grains, cereals, coffee/tea, soaps, and so much more. And let's consider just a few examples of how you can dramatically save money at what I find myself more and more referring to as "The Realm." Let's say you're looking for plant-based deli meat. Before The Realm Refillery, the cheapest place in town for this popular food item was Target. At Target, you can buy a 5.5-ounce, non-GMO package of Tofurky Plant-Based Hickory Smoked Deli Slices for $3.89. In contrast, at The Realm Refillery, you can get the same amount of organic deli meat, which is not in a plastic package and is locally and ethically sourced, for a mere $1.99. That's a 48% reduction! Further, the locally-made deli meat is far tastier and healthier. That's an easy one.

A close-up of the plant-based deli meat selections at The Realm Refillery. Image: Dan Meyers

Now, how about you want just enough deli meat for a couple of sandwiches? At The Realm, you can buy the exact amount you need, leaving nothing to go bad in the refrigerator (and once again, no plastic packaging!). It's a fact that Americans waste 30-40% of the food they buy, often because after initial use, the rest of the product sits in the fridge and goes bad. So, for just a couple of sandwiches (and here again comparing against the Target product at $5.99), you might pay only $1 for the meat—Slam dunk. Now, if you're someone who likes to stack on the slices, your cost may go up a bit, but the option to buy "only what you need" is just so great and has many rippling benefits.

This part of The Realm Refillery was particularly fun. Image: Dan Meyers

All kinds of cheeses, sauces, yogurts, and more at The Realm Refillery’s Deli Counter. Image: Dan Meyers

When you’re shopping at The Realm Refillery, it’s not a typical grocery shopping experience. Instead, the store’s workers are very knowledgeable about every product on their shelf. Now numbering over 600 local products strong, The Realm’s workers will, if given a chance, discuss with you what you’re looking to buy, where those products are made (and often by exactly whom), how to use/cook with said item(s), and how to reduce food waste. You get to be the receipt of so many great details that we can all use exponentially to reduce our costs and consumption. Further, learning the details about the local businesses your money is helping thrive is just plain cool.

Meet Howdy, a very knowledgeable and extremely nice worker at The Realm Refillery. Image: Dan Meyers

When it comes to the farms that The Realm Refillery buys from, Ryan explained that they target smaller operations, where possible, as these tend to be more locally owned and operated. Further, Ryan explained that there are a lot of smaller farms in and around the NW that can’t afford to go through official certification processes to obtain marketing-related stickers such as non-GMO, USDA Organic, etc. As such, many local farmers are getting squeezed out. The Realm Refillery helps the smaller farm community tremendously by going out personally to ensure organic, non-GMO practices are taking place and (as noted) by looking at things from an ethical perspective. What are the facilities for the farm workers? Are they being paid a fair wage? This is just plain wonderful business.

From pet shampoo to Epsom salts, these locally-made items are just too cool. Image: Dan Meyers

And business is up at The Realm. It is booming. The store is getting its own set of regulars, some coming in daily to take advantage of fresh products such as bread and other staples. Some of the most popular items have been the aforementioned plant-based deli meats (Dinger’s Deli), plant-based yogurt (MUNDUS), peanut butter pretzels, artisan vegan cheeses (VTopian), fresh bread (Tabor Bread and Carina’s Bakery), Tofu (OTA Tofu, the oldest producer of tofu in the U.S.). The Realm Refillery is the only place you can buy tofu in Portland that isn’t in a plastic package.

Part of the fresh produce section. Note the local farms noted on each tag. Image: Dan Meyers

Having lived in the NW my entire life, I’ve seen several coops come and go. Yet this grocery store is different. Its connection to the community and novel, refillable jar exchange program separates it from the pack. This grocery model should have been in place decades and decades ago. I sincerely hope this way of shopping spreads across the country (and to other parts of the world) because everyone but the big corporations benefit. Amazingly, this idea didn’t already exist in Portland, leaving the fortunate opening for The Realm Refillery. Ryan and Brittany saw the opportunity, and Portland was the right place to make their dream happen. Lucky for us!

Details

The Realm Refillery is the place to get your groceries. See all the important details below:

The Realm Refillery Website
Location: 2310 NE Broadway Portland, OR 97232
Phone: (503)-954-1407
Hours of Operation: The Realm Refillery is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm with the exception of Sundays when it closes at 5 p.m.

Now get shopping and saving while eating better, reducing plastic and food waste, and lofting up the local economy!