A new refill shop in Yucca Valley invites shoppers to clean up their cleaning habits.
Salina Rhodus this spring opened The Green Roadrunner, a refillery and haven for eco-conscious shopping. Inside, shoppers can stock up on dozens of cleaning products and home essentials ranging from laundry detergent and multipurpose cleaner to sunscreen and face moisturizer. Unlike a typical store, the products are sold from large bulk containers kept behind the counter. Customers can bring their own jars in which to put the products, and there’s also a donation area for people to leave extra jars or containers for other shoppers to use.
Like many entrepreneurs in the zero-waste field, Rhodus is cognizant that consumer behavior is hard to change. But she hopes offering better-for-the-planet swaps can be the start of a longer journey.
“If every single person did one thing, it would make a huge difference,” she said. “It’s fine starting with switching over to compostable sponges. Then it’s, like, switch over to laundry (refills) instead of buying plastic jugs. Now let’s add some hand soap in there. And then as you go, you can develop new systems.”
In addition to the refill items, The Green Roadrunner has well-stocked shelves of zero-waste products by emerging eco-conscious brands. Some of these are meant to be eco-friendly swaps for existing products, like bamboo paper towels or compostable dog waste bags. Offerings also include crystals she sources herself, plus goods, like jewelry and herbal blends, from local vendors. In an adjacent room, Rhodus curates vintage clothes and recycled goods.
The Green Roadrunner is part of a trend spreading across the country as people seek to limit their consumer waste. There’s more than a dozen “refill stations” in the Los Angeles area, but they’re not exclusive to major metros. Mid-sized cities like Cleveland and Kansas City have their own versions of refill and zero-waste shops. In Palm Springs, It Refills is slated to open in Flannery Exchange this summer.
So far, the idea is resonating in Yucca Valley. The Green Roadrunner has about a 70% customer return rate, a fairly strong percentage given the number of tourists who are also coming through. Some customers are making weekly or biweekly stops, with Rhodus starting a loyalty program to reward frequent shoppers.
The sticky shopper behavior surprised even Rhodus, who was unsure whether people in the community would be interested in the concept. “I was, originally, not sure about if people would want to do this,” she said. “Sustainability is tough, because there’s a behavior change that takes a while.”
A big part of running the shop, Rhodus said, is educating shoppers on what eco-friendly products can do. She’ll happily walk new shoppers step by step through the taring process, which prices out a refill by weight minus the weight of the container. And she’ll explain where she sources the bulk products from, or the vendors with which she’s partnered.
There’s also the financial education piece, as refilling can be a much more affordable alternative for those willing to make the change. A pickle-sized jar full of cleaning vinegar, for example, is less than $4 and will fill 10 to 12 spray bottles mixed with water and essential oil to create a multi-purpose cleaner.
“There are a lot of misconceptions that going zero-waste is more expensive, and it’s not necessarily true,” Rhodus said. “It really balances out, because you’re not paying for that plastic and labeling every time. You’re just paying for the product you’re using.”
For Rhodus, getting The Green Roadrunner up and running was part dream, part opportunity. Rhodus came across a refill shop several years ago in Manhattan Beach and was intrigued by the possibility of running one herself. In addition to working as a real estate agent, Rhodus had been working in sales for a laboratory, a role where she frequently learned about the ingredients that make up food and products.
“There are a lot of misconceptions that going zero-waste is more expensive, and it’s not necessarily true. It really balances out, because you’re not paying for that plastic and labeling every time. You’re just paying for the product you’re using.”
The Green Roadrunner owner Salina Rhodus
Rhodus and her family moved to the Morongo Basin in early 2023. Rhodus was suddenly laid off last September, and found herself wondering what was next.
“I was ready for a change, but I didn’t know if I was ready to make the commitment to do this,” she said.
Then in January, she saw a space along Highway 62 that had been vacated by an adult-entertainment business that moved to a different location. It was a prime corner spot in a shopping plaza next to This N That thrift shop.
Rhodus instantly saw potential due to its central location, good visibility and proximity to local supermarkets and discount chains. She quickly jumped on the property and got to work renovating the space. Long nights ensued as Rhodus and her husband, Austin, worked on merchandising and inventory. “It’s been challenging, but in the best way possible,” she said.
Rhodus is eager to keep things local. When she closed on the Fourth of July, she posted on social media so customers who had planned to come by could contact her to make arrangements. There’s a free book-exchange shelf, and also a spot to drop off old toothbrushes to be recycled. Rhodus spruced up the landscaping around the plaza to add some curb appeal, and has hosted a few food-truck events for celebrations like Father’s Day.
“People have come in and thanked us, and we’ve had a lot of community support,” she said. “We have a population that is definitely interested.”
The Green Roadrunner is located at 57533 Twentynine Palms Highway, Suite 2, in Yucca Valley. For more information, call 760-418-5469, or visit www.thegreenroadrunner.com.