Comments on: The Terra20 Store: My Personal Assistant for Avoiding Greenwashing

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 01:40:31 +0000

@chantal_mc @pamela – Sorry it has taken so long for Pamela’s comment to show up. I just found it now in a spam folder that I didn’t know even existed!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:22:46 +0000

@coffeewithjulie @chantal_mc The search button will come in tandem with launching our online store- within the next couple of months. I like the idea of identifying local vendors. I think it’s something we’ll probably implement, but it may take some time since we’re still trying to get a whole whack of other stuff finished and implemented!

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:57:52 +0000

hi Pamela, @chantal_mc had a good suggestion re local suppliers that you might want to bring to your colleagues. (Also: a search button on your website would make me happy too while you’re at it!)

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:56:41 +0000

@chantal_mc That is a great idea re noting the local suppliers. I noticed Chapters has a section for local authors now and I always look at it. As for that boombox bag, I will help you justify yours if you help me justify mine!

By: chantal_mc

chantal_mc — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:43:16 +0000

@andrea from the fishbowl @coffeewithjulie and I bought purple urchin product without even realizing they were local. Maybe signage indicating local companies would be good to add. I enjoyed my visit. I know I will be back. From what I could see prices were good and selection was out of this world. Such a huge store. And Julie, I specifically noticed that boombox bag as well. I tried to justify buying it just cause I though it was so cool.

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:33:40 +0000

@KarenQuips thanks for that share, Karen!

By: andrea from the fishbowl

andrea from the fishbowl — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:42:30 +0000

@NicoleShadbolt From what I’ve seen Terra20 supports local businesses where they can too. Like Purple Urchin (http://www.purpleurchinsoap.com) for example. And I’m not sure why people are fixated on the fact that it’s co-owned by a business person. Who else can find the money to take this kind of risk?

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:50:39 +0000

@NicoleShadbolt I agree that it would be sad if a larger store like Terra20 would put smaller stores out of business (like Chapters vis a vis independent bookstores) and I could see how that might be a concern. But I think Terra20 is likely geared towards a more “mainstream” market — pulling in customers from the stores right beside it (Chapters, Ikea, Michaels, Sears). In doing so, it’s attracting a different customer base than those who already frequent their local eco-friendly stores.

But with regards to it being owned by a “big businessman” … how does that make it “greenwashing”? The products are all carefully screened and therefore “green,” right?

By: coffeewithjulie

coffeewithjulie — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:42:47 +0000

@Nataliya It’s definitely worth checking out! Lots of very cool products.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:36:37 +0000

Hi Nicole, I believe you’re from my hometown; we have some friends in common. I’ve worked closely with Bill and Steve for nearly six months (I’m terra20′s community manager) and I know that they’re both committed to the cause, and have had their lives and point of view changed by the things they’ve learned since this project got underway several years ago. Yes, they have both experienced business success, it’s that very success that has allowed us to launch this store.

We’re very happy if people continue to patronize the smaller businesses where they’ve shopped for years; maybe they’ll also check terra20 out and find some things that aren’t readily available elsewhere. What we want most though is for people who aren’t already buying better, more environmentally-conscious products to begin doing so, and creating an environment in which they feel comfortable doing that is going to go a long way towards achieving that goal. I think that’s a good thing (as someone who has practiced and preached environmentalism and sustainability for many many years).