Jun 29 2010

New Product Spotlight!

I hear it every summer–Paige bring in Swim Diapers!  Well I listened!  The Blue Ridge Eco Shop NOW carries reusable swim diapers and boy are they cute!

The Bummis Swimmis (aka Swim Diapers) come in five cute patterns and are sized to snuggly fit your little swimmer.

Check them out here!

Posted by Paige at 10:37 AM 0 comments
Jun 10 2010

Oil Cleanup Device To Be Demonstrated on Downtown Mall

Oil Cleanup Device To Be Demonstrated on Downtown Mall

 

Virginia group urges innovation – creates community where individuals make a difference

 

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The volunteer group GulfClean.org is focusing on straightforward, realistic devices that can be built by individuals and fishermen to help filter and extract oil from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A centrifugal separator that may help clean oil from the Gulf is just the first of such inventions, and the hope is that the device will be valuable for spurring additional ideas on how to solve the problem. Powered by a small boat motor, the device has been effective at separating oil from water in a contained system.

 

This device will be demonstrated on Friday, June 11th at 5:30 pm. The event will be held outside the Blue Ridge Eco Shop at 313 East Main Street on the downtown mall . Partnering with GulfClean.org will be solar generator company SUNRNR of Virginia, Inc (“Sun Runner”) – powering the separator with clean, efficient solar power.

 

Background:

 

A growing community of inventors, students, business people and concerned citizens has formed at www.gulfclean.org, where innovation meets necessity. Spurred by the disaster currently unfolding in the Gulf, the group has rallied around the call for immediate action. With oil plumes spewing into the gulf for over 50 days, each passing day reinforces the fact that inaction is no longer an option.

 

While the group was originally formed by a small group of James Madison University alumni and one professor, the community has grown exponentially and has garnered interest from as far away as Canada and Mexico. The group is united by a common purpose – the desire to provide a supportive gathering place where its members can come together and collaborate, fostering partnerships that will ultimately lead to new and exciting developments in oil cleanup technology.

 

GulfClean.org’s efforts can be viewed at http://www.gulfclean.org, http://www.facebook.com/GulfClean and https://twitter.com/gulfclean.

 

SUNRNR can be found at http://www.sunrnr.com/, and the Blue Ridge Eco Shop at http://www.blueridgeecoshop.com/.


 

Posted by Paige at 9:48 AM 0 comments
Jun 9 2010

Clean Energy Breakfast

Last Thursday, the Blue Ridge Eco Shop hosted Repower Virginia’s local business leader breakfast.  We had over 30 local Charlottesville businesses represented plus Senator Warner’s office and Delagate Toscano.

Thanks to all that came.  It was nice to share Green business practices and to hear from Repower Virginia on how we as businesses can make a difference and influence what goes on at the State and National level.

Here are a few snap shots of the early breakfast.

Waiting for the speakers to start, the group starts to take their seats.

Wayne Bader from Avid Energy shares his experience with a Green Team in his office.

Posted by Paige at 1:00 PM 0 comments
Jun 1 2010

Grand Opening Event!

After being in our location for a full month, the Blue Ridge Eco Shop is officially ready for a Grand Opening party!
Come join us Saturday, June 5th 10am to 7pm at our NEW location on the Downtown Mall.  There will be workshops and demonstrations throughout the day.  Plus, enter to win prizes and free Green Giveaways.
11am FREE Composting Workshop by Blue Ridge Eco Shop owner, Paige Mattson
2pm Cynthia Adams, Executive Director of LEAP - Local Energy Alliance Program will talk about the new initiative and how to make your home more energy efficient.
Don’t miss specials and sale items throughout the day!

 

Posted by Paige at 3:17 PM 2 comments
May 26 2010

New Product Spotlight!

With the growth of the store, we are constantly getting new product in.  It is a very exciting time at the Blue Ridge Eco Shop!  Customers have been asking for natural bristle brooms for quite some time, and now that we have the space, we have brought in bamboo handled, natural bristle brooms and whisks.

See the entire selection here!

Posted by Paige at 10:09 AM 0 comments
May 19 2010

Charlottesville Downtown Mall

We’ve been downtown for two weeks now and we are loving every minute of the energy!  Thank you to our loyal customers for following us to our new, larger location.  And thank you to all the many new customers for coming in and checking us out.  This weekend is the big UVA Graduation weekend.  Come check us out while you are out and about this weekend!

 

Posted by Paige at 9:47 AM 0 comments
May 3 2010

We've Moved!

The move is officially over!  Come visit us at our new, larger location:

313 E. Main Street

(on the Charlottesville Downtown Historic Mall)

Posted by Paige at 1:52 PM 0 comments
Apr 19 2010

Moving Sale!

Help lighten our load!  Come in and take advantage of our Moving Sale!

20% Off Fertilizers & Pest Control

20% Off Paints

20% Off Sealers

20% Off Wood Stains

20% Off Cleaners

Plus many other discounts store wide!

Posted by Paige at 11:48 AM 0 comments
Apr 7 2010

We're Moving!

The reality is starting to set in.  The fun, day-dreaming of a fresh, bigger new space is becoming distance, and the harsh reality of W-O-R-K is setting in.  I am excited that I can officially announce that the Blue Ridge Eco Shop is growing and moving into a space over TWICE as big on Charlottesville’s Famous Downtown pedestrian Mall.  But now I am in the hurry up and get there situation!  We un-officially began demolition about a month ago, but now we are officially tailoring the space for the new Eco Shop.

Follow me over the next two weeks as we get the space fixed up, cleaned up in a sustainable way and moved into!

We have already removed several walls and have begun re-dry walling where needed.  Next up is removing the 10+ year-old carpet and laying beautiful reclaimed hardwood floor from Mountain Lumber Company here in Charlottesville.  I finally settled on our paint color: Creek Bend, which will be mixed in our Enviro-Safe Paint.  Even though painting is a week or so off.

Lots more to do!  Don’t be surprised if I forget something over the next few weeks!  For now, the windows are covered and the work begins!

 

Posted by Paige at 9:55 AM 2 comments
Mar 30 2010

New Product Spotlight!

Want something colorful at your door?  Perfect for Spring.  Perfect for the dormroom.  Perfect to add a little color anywhere.

Recycled Flip-Flop Mats

Made of recycled flip-flop materials.  Each mat is unique and a great addition to any entryway!
Posted by Paige at 12:48 PM 0 comments