The Laundry Refillery & Essentials comes clean with sustainable vision
New Black Mountain home goods business invites customers to bring their own containers
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 22, 2024
Heidi (left) and Addie King prepare to open the eco-friendly Laundry Refillery & Essentials in downtown Black Mountain on March 23. The shop invites customers to bring their own containers while restocking household goods and toiletries. Photo by Fred McCormick
A unique new shop in Black Mountain will balance retail and sustainability, Saturday, March 23, when The Laundry Refillery & Essentials debuts on the corner of East State Street and Richardson Boulevard.
The business, which occupies a former dry cleaning building downtown, invites customers to bring their own containers while shopping for home goods and eco-friendly cleaning products, offering local residents an efficient alternative to single-use plastic.
Founded by mother and daughter, Heidi and Addie King, the Laundry is a modern spin on the classic general store concept. Shoppers can choose from an array of detergents, toiletries, dry goods and other basic household necessities, all free of artificial dyes and scents, sulphates, parabens and other plastics or hormone disruptors. Patrons can purchase reusable bottles from the shop or bring their own.
“This is how general stores used to operate back in the day,” said Addie. “I hear that and wonder, ‘well why did we get away from this?’ I have to drive into Asheville to get my shampoo and conditioner, and that’s a 30-minute drive.
"Here, you can just stop by every week or two and refill a bottle,” she continued. “Then, you factor in how many plastic bottles you’re keeping out of the environment and having a local shop that offers this service makes a lot of sense.”
The model fills a need in the community while revitalizing a 71-year-old structure, according to Heidi, one of four partners who founded neighboring Pure & Proper in 2022.
“I have a degree in environmental studies, so finding ways to improve our environment has always been a passion of mine,” she said. “Here, we have this opportunity to try something that helps reduce the amount of plastics and chemicals going into the ground while having a fun experience in a beautiful space.”
Addie King fills a jar in the Laundry Refillery & Essentials, which will open in Black Mountain on March 23. Photo by Fred McCormick
The Kings began renovating the structure last fall, replacing flooring, painting the interior and exterior and creating an open setting. The industrial aesthetic is complemented by carefully arranged counters and shelves holding large clear containers and empty glass bottles and mason jars.
The concept is a “win-win” for customers who prefer high-quality products at a fair price, according to Heidi.
“The whole point is to bring your own jar, which cuts down on waste and the cost of packaging,” she said. “The cost of shipping is lower, especially with some of our products being local and almost all of them coming from the U.S. or Canada.”
The idea of a Swannanoa Valley storefront in which customers refill essential items resonated with Addie after a family vacation to Ireland and Scotland.
“We walked into a refillery, and that was something I had heard of but hadn’t seen in person,” she said. “I remember hoping it was an idea that would catch on one day in America, and I thought it would be cool to open one back home.”
A few months later, while working next door, the family serendipitously learned that the neighboring building would soon be available, and the mother and daughter recognized the location’s potential as a pioneering eco-friendly business.
“We’re planning to work with local vacation rentals and business owners on a subscription-based program that allows them to bring in empty containers of shampoo, conditioner or hand soap and refill it through us,” Addie said. “That program will eliminate more plastic and save local renters and business owners money, so we’re excited about it.”
Home goods, including towels, linens and blankets will be featured in the retail space, where the Laundry will offer an option to refill candles.
Heidi King, and her business partner and daughter Addie, will introduce a unique business concept to Black Mountain, March 23, when the Laundry Refillery & Essentials opens downtown. The store will allow customers to refill containers when purchasing home goods and other personal care products. Photo by Fred McCormick
“We really wanted to put a little something for everyone in this space,” Addie said. “So, even if you’re not coming in to refill anything, you can find something, whether it’s a gift, a new blanket or something simple like a bag of chips.”
The process of opening a business with her daughter is an “incredibly rewarding experience,” according to Heidi.
“Seeing this dream she had turn into a reality has been amazing,” she said. “Just a few months ago we were talking about a vision for this place, so we’re excited to have customers come in and take a look around. We’re both really proud of what we’ve built.”
The fresh concept is one Addie believes her hometown can embrace.
“I love this community, and I’m really looking forward to being part of it in this way,” she said. “I want this to be positive addition to Black Mountain where creativity continuously flows, and something the community can be proud of.”