A WOKINGHAM trader who began her zero waste journey with a market stall, will mark two years of success at her Peach Place shop.
Maya Gheorghe began Maya’s Refillables as a market trader in 2019, but it wasn’t long before she found her stall was becoming so popular that she needed to enlarge the business.
She moved into one of Wokingham’s town centre outlets in 2022, and her sustainable store there has gone from strength to strength.
“Starting a business just before the pandemic was scary,” she said, “But I was so encouraged to find that people didn’t change their positive recycling habits even during the lockdowns.
“It was a tough period, but people kept coming, and that gave me the confidence to persevere.”
As well as serving customers in store, Maya also delivers to a 10 mile radius around the town.
“Zero waste is becoming part of Wokingham borough residents’ lives now,” she said.
“It’s so nice to have their support.”
One of Maya’s priorities has been to forge strong links with other Wokingham sustainable groups, including; People Planet Pastry, and Wokingham’s new Repair Cafe.
Maya’s Refillables is rapidly becoming what Maya always hoped it would be: not only a shop, but a hub for zero waste events, and a space for education and engagement.
“It has always been on the shop front that we’re a zero waste store, and a sustainability hub too,” she explained.
“Now that’s really beginning to happen – our direction is positive, and the business is transforming into something wonderful and solid.
“I’ve also recently become a green employer, providing green job opportunities, so I am really enjoying having the support of a team.”
However, she says that there are still lots of people who are only just discovering the shop for themselves.
She said: “They come in and say, ‘this is wonderful, I didn’t know you were here’.
“You could say we’re Wokingham’s best kept secret.”
Maya says she’s very excited to celebrate with people who visit the store on its second birthday.
“And I’m grateful to my neighbours Hamlet restaurant, and Jayne’s Vegan bakes for providing refreshments, and The Wild Card for plastic free balloons,” she said.
Celebrations will take place at Maya’s Refillables on Saturday, April 20, from 9am until 5pm.
For information, visit: www.mayasrefillables.com
