Illustration by Jonny Ruzzo
One word: plastics. You won’t find them at Lierer’s Market, where there are more than 175 refillable items—not just oats, beans, flour and spices but also pasta, toothpaste tabs, and cooking oil—that are meant to go in bottles, mason jars, or other washable/reusable containers. Sure, there’s still some shelf space at the Northside shop for canned goods, and a few things can’t be sold without some type of packaging, but for the most part Alex Heppner and Bryan Lierer want to help people who live in the neighborhood get what they need while also sending less stuff to the landfill.
Lierer’s achieves that not only in the way the store is stocked with low- or no-waste items, but by serving as a drop-off point for both the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub, which takes many things that Rumpke doesn’t, and Queen City Commons composting. Even the bulk dispensers for such products as Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds or Mom ’n ’em coffee are part of a closed loop return/refill system.
We spoke to the pair about sustainability, the joy (and residential hazards) of fresh-ground nut butter, and their on-brand bachelor/bachelorette party, among other things.
So why this store? What inspired you to do this?
Bryan: We live in Northside and wanted to meet a community need. This neighborhood is so walkable already, it just needs a place to get essential items. And then we wanted a grocery that we wanted to shop at: more sustainable, revolved around the theme of refills. And a hub for education, too. People can come here without judgment and learn how to live more sustainably.
Is it a challenge to serve customers who just want to come in and get a few things they need for dinner versus the ones actively embracing sustainability?
Alex: We do have some people who come in off the street who are just kind of hoping for quick and convenient. And for dry goods, we have paper bags ready for people who don’t come prepared. But we’ve actually been surprised how many people are seeking us out, and seeking the opportunity for refill over things in plastic.
So what’s your advice for a new customer who finds this a little overwhelming? How do you start?
Alex: Just small steps. Something that you can change and continue to sustain. Maybe you can’t get all of your pantry items from us, but there are things that you get regularly that you’re able to refill. Like rolled oats, for example, is a really popular one. But then also just, simple things. Taking a reusable mug to the coffee shop. Or if you’re somebody who takes your meal to work, reusable utensils. Small little things like that can have a big impact over time.
Bryan: Once people start, they do want to do more.
So you’ve got a lot of customers who have their own Mason jars or other containers.
Alex: Absolutely, yeah. The most sustainable thing is always to use what you already have. You don’t need to go out and get the new fancy water bottle that’s all the rage if you already have a water bottle that’s working well for you. And the same thing for containers. When folks come in and we explain to them what we’re trying to do, you see the light bulb go off, like, “Oh, yeah. I don’t need more plastic. I have these containers at home.”
Bryan: Yeah, I love when you see that light in people’s eyes. Where they’re just like, “Wow, this is how we should be shopping. And why don’t more places do this?” And it’s amazing when people bring their friends and family in here. I never really imagined the store would mean that much to people.
Is there anything that you think people would be surprised that you can get in bulk?
Alex: I think people are really surprised about the cooking liquid. We have avocado oil, canola oil, olive oil, and then also apple cider and white vinegar.
Bryan: And I guess our favorite items in the shop—the peanut butter and the almond butter machines.
Alex: The nut butter grinders are our pride and joy.
Bryan: We actually got them long before the store opened. Right when we signed the lease. And we go through a lot of peanut butter ourselves. But then we found out it takes more power than what our apartment could handle.
Alex: After we blew all the fuses. It takes a 20 amp dedicated circuit to run those machines. Our maintenance guy said, “Do not plug that in.”
So you got married last September and you had a pretty unique bachelor/bachelorette party?
Alex: So, we’re also part of the sustainability committee through the Northside Community Council, and one of the things that the sustainability committee does is a “trash social.” About once a month, we get together at a different spot in the neighborhood and pick up trash. The council has a lot of grabbers and buckets and bags and things. Pick up the trash for an hour, and then visit one of the neighborhood bars here for the social part.
So, since picking up trash is one of our favorite things to do [laughs], for our joint bachelor and bachelorette party, we hosted a trash social. We picked up the trash along Hamilton Avenue here, and then stopped at one of our favorite places for a drink after.
Bryan: Alex had the perfect name for it. It was a “Trash Bach.”
Lierer’s Market, 4170 Hamilton Ave., Northside, (513) 212-6631. Wed–Fri noon–8 p.m., Sat & Sun 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
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