To support a local female-owned business while helping the environment, visit The Keep Store at 314 E. Adams Street. Amy Shelton is the owner and founder of Springfield's first "refillery" store which opened May 21. Bring your own jar or buy a container to purchase bath supplies, cleaning products and other personal care items by weight. The products are environmentally friendly, and other eco-friendly items are for sale.
Shelton grew up in Petersburg and developed a love of learning from her parents, who were both teachers. "I have been an avid environmentalist since my biology classes in high school," said Shelton. "However, once you become a grandparent, everything changes. Climate change was concerning enough to think about during my own lifetime, never mind my children's. It's even more frightening to think what may occur during my grandchild's lifetime." Shelton knew she wanted to make changes, including reducing the amount of waste and consumption within her own household. She learned about zero-waste stores and "refilleries" popping up elsewhere. Because there were no such stores in Springfield, she decided to open one.
This is a side enterprise for Shelton. She is an IT manager at Horace Mann, where she has worked for over 20 years. She started as a biology major in college but quit school to get married, started a family and entered the work force. She worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield for 17 years and eventually finished her bachelor's degree after the age of 40.
