When Sabrina Smith opened The Green Light in 2006 there weren’t a lot of businesses in Missoula dedicated solely to eco retail. There were a few stores that sold some green products, but the Green Light really pushed the concept further into the mainstream.
Sabrina already had experience as a buyer for the Good Food Store, picking out items like cards and ornaments, and eco-storage and cookware (a lot of what is now in Nest), but she often got questions from customers about where to find hemp shower curtains or organic sheets, and it was tough to find a local source for those.
She opened The Green Light to address that need, and the store has offered quality eco-products for the past 14 years, until its closure this month. Along the way, Sabrina supported a slew of local vendors.
“We realized there is so much talent in Missoula and around Montana and that shift was really awesome,” Sabrina said. “As of last year we were representing over 60 local vendors and artists. All of our skin care was local organic, most of our jewelry, most of our clothing. That’s probably the thing I’m most proud of, being able to support those individuals and families and knowing them.”
The loss of the Green Light leaves a hole in downtown Missoula. It was a place where you could easily find great gifts and self-care treats. And it was a business that supported 60 to 100 nonprofits and individuals around town per year with small auction items and sponsorships. Sabrina, who is closing the business to spend more time with her family, said she is grateful for the community and happy to say that other stores carry or have picked up the unique and eco-friendly products that people looked to her to provide.
Sunshine Can-dles:
These 100 percent natural soy wax candles smell great and are also made locally. They come in aluminum cans, up-cycled wine bottle and other repurposed glassware, all of which come from local breweries and wineries. That’s a pretty sweet idea since Missoula folks love their local breweries and wineries, and it’s just another way to showcase some of the best can and bottle art out there, much of which was lovingly created by local artists.
Find it at:
Rockin’ Rudy’s
Big Sky Brewery
Ten Spoon Winery
Stasher bags:
Throwing away plastic is one of the things eco-minded consumers feel the most guilty about, which is probably why these replacements for one-use plastic sandwich and storage bags were a big hit at the Green Light. The silicone bags can be used endlessly and are way more appealing than plastic anyway—they are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, good for making popcorn and boiling vegetables, and they are aesthetically gorgeous.
Find it at:
Good Food Store
DaySpa Body Basics:
The local maker of body products had several items at the Green Light, from lotions and deodorants to men’s beard oil and herbal mists to treat cold symptoms. Some of the items are classically luxurious, like Huckleberry organic sugar scrubs and various lip butters. Others play to local outdoor culture, like insect-repelling soaps and soaps that hide human scent so you can increase your elk hunting success. Not all the items are available in local storefronts, but a lot of them are.
Find it at:
Rockin Rudy's (lots of men’s products)
Montana Ace Hardware (on Burlington)
Good Food Store
Natural Grocers
Missoula Fresh Market
Muralt's Truck Stop
Kind Apparel:
So much outdoor apparel is made from synthetics that are processed in unsustainable ways that are terrible for the planet. Another popular Green Light line, Kind Apparel is a local producer that makes women’s outdoor clothing that’s colorful, comfortable, and sustainable. The clothing is also super fun: check out the fleece and contour leggings with full-on outdoor landscapes across them.
Find it at:
Bob Ward’s
The Artist’s Shop
The Women’s Club
Kind Apparel Studio