Fillagreen, a new shop in downtown Fredericksburg, is set to offer refills on household and bathroom supplies, with a mission to reduce plastic waste. Owners John and Beverly Hicks were inspired to start Fillagreen by their 11-year-old twins, who had been learning about environmental issues and pollution. “We saw an opportunity to make a difference in the world while also teaching our children about the hard work that goes into running a small business,” said Beverly.
The Hicks first test-marketed their concept at the Manassas Farmer’s Market before opening their first brick-and-mortar location at 9029 Center St. in Manassas. They noticed a substantial gap in refillable product locations along the I-95 corridor between Manassas and Richmond and felt Fredericksburg was an ideal place to bridge that gap. John, who helped found the University of Mary Washington’s Mother’s Rugby team and remains active in its foundation, said that moving into downtown Fredericksburg was made easier through their partnership with Main Street America. Both Manassas and Fredericksburg are part of the Main Street program, which focuses on revitalizing historic downtowns and neighborhoods nationwide.
We’re excited to be part of this community and to offer something that can make a difference,” Beverly said. “We wanted to create a place where people can easily make more sustainable choices.”
Fillagreen will feature a “Glass Library,” where visitors can donate screw-top glass containers for use by other customers. Customers can also bring their own containers, which the shop will wash and remove labels from. All containers are weighed before filling, so the cost of the products is not affected by the weight of the glass.
The products sold at Fillagreen are sourced as locally as possible, with a focus on sustainability and quality. The Hicks return plastic shipping drums to their vendors and send any other plastics to special recycling plants that repurpose them into new products, such as Trex decking. John noted that many of the products are vegan and organic, as the plastic-free movement often overlaps with these niche markets. Most of their offerings are botanically or mineral-based, free from additives and chemicals.
Fillagreen will offer around 50 products, ranging from household cleaning supplies to personal hygiene items. John emphasized the store’s philosophy of “doing eco-friendly imperfectly,” encouraging customers to make eco-friendly choices without feeling like they have to be perfect. The store offers plastic-free options, allowing customers to try new products one ounce at a time.
The Hicks also plan to host community events throughout the year, including Halloween costume swaps, puzzle swaps, and educational tours, similar to what they did at their Manassas location.
Fillagreen is located at 716 Caroline Street and is expected to open in mid-September.
