Help Earth & Me and EWWD Launch a New Storefront!

Earth & Me, Queens' first zero-waste store, is raising money to build out a bigger storefront and meet the sustainability needs of our community! Located on Steinway between 30 and 31st Aves, we will be taking over a 1400-sq-ft space with a large community garden out back, space for workshops and events, and the addition of bulk food/spices! Joining in on the fun is Eat Well with Danielle, a gluten-free and vegan baker, passionate about sharing her love for healthier, delicious, allergy-friendly baked goods with the community. We are moving in Fall 2021. Thank you so much for your support. <3

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Hi! I'm Kayli, and I opened Queens' first zero-waste store in July of 2020.

I was let go from my job at the height of the pandemic in New York City. But I took it as an opportunity to do something meaningful and aligned with my values. I created Earth & Me, a small shop to provide eco-friendly options to my community.

Above, I'm preparing for our very first popup! What started out as a small online shop — and lots of local bicycle deliveries — became a brick-and-mortar in December 2020. Here's our Astoria-based store right before our grand opening:

And now, after six months, we are so excited to move into an even bigger space!

Earth & Me is a place for sustainability and community. I care about supporting small-batch makers, environmental justice, and giving people the option to cast their vote for a future they want to live in. We offer over 400 different products, ranging from household goods like sponges and toothpaste to personal care and gifts. And our refill station has helped us divert thousands of plastic bottles from landfills, by offering safe, natural, and essential items (and some fun stuff, too) in refillable jugs.

Nearly everything in our shop is handmade by small-batch makers, mostly owned by entrepreneurs who are women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, mothers, and eco advocates, all with a passion for sustainability. We have many local makers as well, many who have become dear friends of the shop.

Our store expanded throughout 2021 and has brought on four team members. We've launched a free community climate library, a plant swap program, and a small community garden. We've also donated thousands of dollars to eco- and social-justice causes, both local and international.

We only have one problem: We need more space! We have so many requests for additional refill items, and we are excited to announce we've found our dream space and are moving forward for a big move in fall 2021.

What will the new space have in store? (Pun intended.)

• The addition of spices, grains, teas, and more to our bulk refill station,
• A large 600-square foot community garden and workshop/event space in the backyard,
• A new selection of curated vintage home goods by @BelleManorQueens and thrifted clothing by @Leandlogoods,
• Expansion of our recycling capabilities for the community: fabric and clothing, upcycled bottles, and more,
• Introduction of programming for DIY workshops, teach ins, & clothing swaps,
• The ability to bring on dozens of new small-batch makers,
• A more central and accessible location for Western Queens, on Steinway between 30th and 31st Avenues
• Aaaannd..... a cafe by Eat Well With Danielle, an incredible woman-owned bakery in Queens!

Meet Danielle: Hi, I’m Danielle! I started “Eat Well with Danielle” as an Instagram account back in May 2020, purely as a quarantine hobby. I actually never baked before (fun fact right?!), but I wanted to try my hand at baking healthier versions of my favorite treats - cookies, brownies, blondies, and muffins - and got to experimenting in the kitchen. I have a big sweet tooth AND I love leading a healthy, active lifestyle … so naturally I wanted my treats to match suit.


 
Initially my Instagram account was just that - an account to post pictures of my treats. Then I started a blog to share my recipes. Now, I sell my baked goods through my website, at pop up events, and at local coffee shops! So what’s next? I’m more than ready to have a little cafe of my own where all of my loving and loyal customers can pop by for a cookie and a coffee and come hang with me.



Being able to bake for people with allergies and non allergies alike and have them enjoy my healthier goodies is truly the best. I’m so grateful for the outpouring of love I’ve received thus far and cannot wait to take this next step. Your donation will help me build out the cafe I’ve been daydreaming of daily … Thank you for your support!



Help us build out our dream space and meet the ever-growing sustainability needs of our community! We are raising $15,000 to help us cover our security deposit, sustainable furnishings for the shop and backyard garden, a cafe buildout, and initial orders of bulk foods and spices!

If you are unable to donate, please feel free to share our campaign with friends and your community! We will also gladly take in-kind donations for building out our space —feel free to ask us what we are looking for.

Thank you so much for your continued support of sustainability in Queens, as well as our shop.

Much love and gratitude,

Kayli of Earth & Me (she/her), Danielle of Eat Well With Danielle (she/her), and the E&M team (Jessica, Mars, Kim, Rachel, and Ollie)


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