Shop offering sustainable products from local vendors to open Tuesday in downtown Oakland

Jul. 15—OAKLAND — A store that carries zero-waste, sustainable, environmentally friendly products is scheduled to open Tuesday at 58 Main St. in downtown Oakland.

My Boho Life, owned by Neecko Dugas, will offer a variety of natural products, such as laundry and hand soaps, dish detergent and lotions she purchases wholesale, and customers can bring in their own containers that will be weighed, filled with a product and weighed again to determine cost.

If, for instance, someone wants to buy just a little laundry soap to use at the laundromat across the street, they can buy only what they need.

"It's up to them on how much they want to have," Dugas said. "It's natural products from different wholesalers. I was very selective on who I got it from. I did a lot of vetting."

Dugas lives on a farm and has always been environmentally conscious, following a "reduce, reuse and recycle" philosophy. The idea for the store, she said, was the brainchild of her daughter, Willow, now 21, who knew her mother was looking for a new business venture and suggested she do something related to her passion for and knowledge of the environment.

"People come from everywhere to look for these stores," Dugas said. "It's become quite a trend. There are only two or three in Maine."

When the large containers of products at her business become empty, she will send them back to the companies from which they came and they are cleaned and sanitized there, according to Dugas.

"There's never any waste," she said.

As more and more plastic is being produced worldwide, an even smaller percentage of it is being recycled, according to experts.

Dugas makes soaps that will be featured at her business. Reusable silicone kitchen items, such as mats and muffin cups, will also be offered.

The store will carry a large selection of loose, dried flowers and herbs, including hibiscus, St. John's wort, lavender and rose, and a variety of loose leaf teas.

Locally made products will also be featured, including children's stuffed animals, crocheted baskets and makeup products, according to Dugas, who said she wants to support local vendors.

The business will also host classes on a variety of topics, including wellness, reflexology and reiki, according to Dugas, who holds a bachelor's degree in business from Purdue University and is a few credits away from a master's degree in human services.

My Boho Life is to be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Dugas said she is looking forward to meeting new customers during the town's OakFest celebration, scheduled for July 26 through 28.

"I'm going to be open Sunday for that week because I'd like to get the word out more," she said.

Dugas was busy Monday, getting the store ready for Tuesday. She said she is anxious to open the doors.

"I'm terrified," she said, "and very excited."

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