Working Toward Sustainability, Rural Center Refillery Opens in Pine Plains 

“I felt awkward the first time I went into a refillery – I didn’t know what to do.” This is how Nicole Clanahan described her initial visit to a shop whose way of doing business was still relatively new.  

At the time, no one stepped up to help her. Now, as Nicole and her husband, Corey Clanahan, open their own refillery, they want to make sure that first-time visitors feel comfortable exploring their new venture. The couple will be on hand to answer questions, to walk customers through the process and to listen to suggestions. 

The Rural Center Refillery, at 2881 Church St, opened to the public on Thursday, March 30. The refillery, which Nicole Clanahan describes as a “bulk distribution center for household products,” is aimed at helping ecologically minded consumers shrink their personal footprint by reducing packaging waste.   

To that end, the Rural Center Refillery offers dry and concentrated cleaning products that can be added to water at home, thus eliminating the need for large single-use plastic bottles. The refillery also sells laundry sheets, bar soap, and food items like coffee beans, teas, nuts, and beans. Shoppers can bring their own containers, which will be weighed at the counter and given a waterproof, reusable sticker.  

Refilleries encourage consumers to reuse existing plastic containers like shampoo bottles rather than tossing them into the recycling bin. According to a recent New York Times article, less than 6% of plastic waste gets recycled in the United States, a fact that has even prompted some global manufacturers, like Clorox, to sell more concentrates and reusable packaging. 

For customers who come without their own containers, the Rural Center Refillery will also sell its own glass bottles and offered free mason jars to its first 50 shoppers.  

The Clanahans say that finding the Church Street location – which formerly housed a law office – was a big step forward in their dream of opening a refillery and helping local residents to produce less plastic waste. The couple looked at a number of locations, but said the turnkey condition of the building and the town’s welcoming atmosphere made Pine Plains an easy choice. They also appreciated the space’s plumbing system, which allows for proper hygiene when handling and repackaging bulk food items.  

Earlier in the year, when the Clanahans were designing the store, the mass closure of Bed, Bath and Beyond stores presented a recycling opportunity of its own, and the couple jumped at the opportunity to buy up inexpensive and useful shelving. “You start thinking about things,” Corey Clanahan said.  

The couple live in Stanfordville with their daughter and son, a dog and two cats. Isaac, 5, attends Cold Spring Early Learning Center; Lena, 11, can walk over after school from Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High to help out. To the whole family’s delight, the space includes a back room office which they’ve comfortably set up with a couch and table, for relaxing or perhaps doing homework. 

Part of the appeal of running a local market, Nicole Clanahan said, is that “you meet your neighbors; you have natural conversations.” The couple are excited about the possibility of brainstorming new solutions together with their shoppers. “Let’s carry this! Let’s try this!” Corey Clanahan said.  

The couple is looking forward to getting to know people. “We totally want to hear what the community wants,” Nicole Clanahan said.  

The Rural Center Refillery is open Thursday, Friday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 845- 867-6557. Nicole@ruralcenterrefillery.com