Our Story
You know when a switch flicks in your head and there’s no going back?
Heaton Perk Coffee Shop (our sister) was in her 12th year when the light bulb moment happened.
How many empty plastic milk bottles had we been responsible for in 12yrs?
Even though we recycled, we searched for a better way forward.
Milk churns - but how to keep the milk cold? How to dispense the milk into glass bottles? Answer?
Newcastle’s first Milk Refill Station (a giant fridge hiding a pump and 50L churn).
But where to put it? Answer? The empty shop next door……109 General Store is born!
And incidentally, Heaton Perk becomes Newcastle’s only coffee shop exclusively using glass bottled dairy milk.
More questions ….
What else could we source and provide in its raw or un-packaged state?
What could we do to make it easier for our friends and neighbours in Heaton, to choose plastic-free or a less packaged, less waste alternative when getting the weekly necessities? Could we make good choices, cost comparable with the supermarkets?
We believe strongly that choosing less plastic shouldn’t mean paying higher prices.
109 General Store opened in 2019 - come an see how we are making the best choices for you. Here’s what you can expect from us:
A warm welcome, a shoulder, an ear, a hand
Help with how to shop refill
A bit chat - A bit daft carry on – maybe some singing
The fairest prices we can manage
What we can expect from you?
We have no expectations – come as you are
Help us do our bit and we’ll help you do yours
Help us remember that it’s a journey