The Unwaste Shop Expands Sustainable Living to Beverly, Chicago

Overview:
The Unwaste Shop is a zero-waste retail project that cuts single-use plastics. It opens a second store in Beverly, Chicago. Randi Alexander, a local Beverly resident, co-owns the shop with Todd Barancik. They bring green alternatives for daily household and personal care items to Chicago’s South Side.

A Commitment to Sustainability in Beverly

The shop opened on November 28, 2025, at 1915 W. 103rd St. It sells eco-friendly bath, body, beauty items, dry goods, pantry staples, and cleaning supplies. A refill station sits in the store. This station asks customers to bring reusable containers. It cuts packaging waste. All of these actions show the shop’s mission. The store works hard to make sustainable choices easy and local.

Founders’ Background and Vision

• Randi Alexander has worked toward sustainability for ten years. She traveled across 35 U.S. states and saw much waste. This work pushed her to adopt a zero-waste life. Now she runs the Beverly shop.
• Todd Barancik runs the original location in West Loop. He took charge of that store in early 2022. The project began as a pop-up in West Town in 2021 by Jessica Naimy and Ben Mayne.

Randi says that many people want a green life but find it hard to start. “With this business, part of the difficulty is accessibility. It isn’t accessible or convenient. So many people want to do it, but it’s not easy,” she shares. The Beverly store works to fix this. Early community feedback is very positive.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Unwaste Shop works with local groups to boost its impact:

• Reduce Waste Chicago helps residents cut waste and fight climate change. The shop takes non-working holiday string lights to help reuse.
• EcoShip gathers shipping materials from local homes and businesses. The shop works as a drop-off point.

Upcoming Events and Accessibility

The shop helps the community learn about sustainability. It will host a Do It Yourself Bookmaking Workshop on January 24, 2026. Kelly Laughlin, the founder of Odette Press, will lead the event. People can make soft-cover journals with the provided supplies. This event shows a creative way to reuse materials.

Randi invites everyone to visit. “We want people to feel comfortable here no matter where they are. There is no judgement. We’re not perfect. It’s just how do we make it more accessible, attainable and convenient,” she says.

Store Details and Contact

• Location: 1915 W. 103rd St., Beverly, Chicago
• Hours:
  • Tue–Fri: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • Sat: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Sun: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Contact: beverly@theunwasteshop.com | 708-285-0105
• Online: Follow on Facebook and Instagram. Visit their website for event tickets and more details.

Conclusion

The Unwaste Shop’s move into Beverly shows community action for sustainable living on Chicago’s South Side. The shop brings simple zero-waste products, clear educational events, and strong local partnerships. This work sets an example. Local businesses can lead the way in environmental change.

Sources: Jim Lynch, Block Club Chicago; interviews with Randi Alexander and Todd Barancik; The Unwaste Shop official communications.

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