Refill Interview: Brook Gunn, Vessel Refills
This blog post is the first in our Refill interview series. In April 2026 I interviewed four, local, refill shop owners for an article in Edible San Diego magazine. I found this interviews to be insightful and impactful, so I found it important to share them in their entirety since the article could only feature small pieces.
Interview with Brook Gunn
Was there a specific experience or realization that inspired you to open a refill shop?
Yes, actually! It was a culmination of a few things all at once. I had been living low-to-no waste since college when I was living closer to the coast and first started shopping at a refill store in Encinitas (then called The Nada Shop, now Shine Natural Market). But when I moved to Escondido in early 2021 it became more and more difficult to shop sustainably with the options by me. I found myself driving all over creation to find my specific plastic-free items. (Which also didn’t feel super sustainable to be driving extra!) I tried Grove Collaborative, but their subscription model just didn’t work for my household of one and still felt wasteful. I really missed the refill model and yearned to have a shop in my neighborhood. At the same time, I was growing more and more displeased with my corporate marketing job when I received a piece of advice from a self-help podcast: If you’re looking for your purpose, chase what makes you jealous. I had a traditionally “successful” career in marketing, but I was deeply unhappy. I considered leaving my job and starting van life for a fresh start and to be closer to nature, but I kept thinking about that piece of advice and I realized that I loved the idea of adventure, but that would only be a temporary distraction and it wouldn’t help me build anything meaningful in my community. I had become friends with a few small business owners and I’d realized I was fascinated by the idea of creating a business. Once I let myself want that, my heart sang and I knew I had to follow that thread. I hoped that if I was yearning for a refill shop in Escondido, I wasn’t the only one! Once I made the decision to open, things really gained momentum quickly (which felt like a sign that I was going in the right direction) and I was able to open the doors in July of 2025.
How has your original vision for the shop evolved since you first opened your doors?
I think the biggest thing that has shifted since opening has been getting realistic about the growth that is possible. I had dreams of adding groceries, NA beverages, pet products, and more, but it’s expensive to add new product lines so I’ve had to quell my desire for growth in order to just sustain the current offerings. More is certainly to come – just all in good time.(Patience can be tough for me when there’s excitement fueling my ideas!)
What is one of your biggest challenges? And something you want your customers to know.
I think the biggest hurdle for a shop like Vessel Refills is the education component. For a lot of people, the idea of refilling or buying in bulk can seem intimidating. But I just want people to know that it’s super simple and I’m here to help and am always happy to walk you through the process. You don’t even have to bring a container! I have a jar library you can borrow from or you can even buy a new vessel.
Do you find your typical customer is already an environmentalist, or are you seeing more "curious newcomers"?
I feel like it’s about 60/40. Most of the people who find me are specifically looking for eco-conscious products and are elated when they walk in the store. The other 40% of people come in and are either confused or amazed by the concept. I actually do get a lot of people who respond with “like refilling printer ink?” when I say that Vessel is a refill store which always makes me giggle. Regardless, people usually leave feeling excited to come back with their jars and containers.
Are there any memorable interactions you’d like to share?
The most memorable interactions I can think of are still all the folks I met on the day of the grand opening. I was moved to tears by the end of the day, seeing how many people from my community showed up to support my small business. Seeing so many new faces be so excited for something I created was super surreal and such a pinch me moment. I am eternally grateful to have been able to kick off this venture with such a fun day!
How do you decide which items to stock and what is the sourcing like?
All of the products I stock are items that I use personally! It was super fun for me to shop for the store prior to opening. It felt like the biggest splurge shopping spree where I got to pick out all my favorite products and offer them to my community. Most of the brands I stock now are products I’ve been using in my household for years, some I’ve been recently introduced to as I begin to carry more and more locally owned products. I also give priority to queer owned, woman owned, and POC owned brands where possible. I have a long list of check boxes products need to fit in order to be added to the bulk refill bar. For example they have to be: closed loop, zero waste, biodegradable, free from synthetic fragrances, cruelty free/vegan, organic, and non-toxic.
Why are refill and plastic free options important?
As consumers, so much of what we buy heads straight to the landfill. And if you ask me, buying trash is a waste of money AND terrible for the environment. Refilling containers you already have and buying plastic-free items allows us to reduce our waste and lessen our impact on our environment. I think as humans, it is our responsibility and honor to be good stewards of the earth and taking small steps to live more low-waste is mutually beneficial. This is because it is more affordable and more eco-conscious. Living frugally and living low-waste are one in the same in my book. So if you’re looking for ways to be more budget conscious, I’d say taking a look at the single-use items you’re currently buying is a great first step to take!
What would you say to someone who is interested in shopping at a refill store but doesn’t know where to start?
I would recommend that you start small with ONE product. Seriously. Just try one swap. Maybe for you that would be buying solid dish soap or swapping your laundry detergent. Or maybe you decide to swap to a plastic-free deodorant. By starting with just one product you can make sure you are effectively incorporating it into your routine and it lessens the overwhelm you may feel. It can be really exciting to start your low-waste journey, but I see folks get overwhelmed and burn out all the time. People will sometimes come in, see all the plastic-free products available and think “Omg I’m not doing enough! There’s so much I need to swap!” but that is counter-productive! Just aim for one swap per month to start and go from there. One small change that you’re able to take with you for the long run is so much more impactful than making a whole bunch of swaps and only being able to sustain them temporarily. Remember, sustainability has to be sustainable for you! There’s no such thing as perfection here, only striving for progress.
What is the one item people come in for most, and what is the one item you wish they bought more of?
I think my most popular refill item is the Dishwasher Gel! It’s a wonderful swap for those pesky dishwasher pods. (By the way, even if they say “plastic-free” or “biodegradable” if they have a film, it likely is made with PVA, or polyvinyl alcohol, which is a micro plastic. Companies get away with it because PVA technically dissolves in water, but the microplastic particles still remain and end up in the waterways.) I think the most slept-on product in my store is the swedish dishcloth! It is such an effective swap for paper towels. They’re ultra absorbent, can be used to wash dishes, clean spills, dry and store produce, and so much more. I have one at home that I use specifically for cleaning the steam wand of my espresso machine. They’re great! And they are machine washable too.
Do you stock any food items, and if so, why is shopping bulk bins for food important?
I don’t currently stock any food items, though I would love to expand there in the future! (As a self-funded start up, growth is slow. I think many people assume I took out a big business loan to start Vessel, but it’s been 100% self funded!) But yes, shopping in bulk bins so, SO GREAT. I would highly recommend checking out Jimbos and Sprouts. Just like at Vessel Refills, you’re able to bring in jars, have the clerk take the tare at the register, then just fill up on nuts, grains, lentils, and other pantry staples. Oftentimes it’s more affordable too! Remember, it’s all about finding ways to stop buying your trash!
Anything else you’d like to share?
I would also love to let people know that I offer community events, classes, workshops, and meet ups! The next event at Vessel will be a mending night on Earth Day which is Wednesday, April 22nd from 5-7pm. It’s a donation based event, so just bring your project that needs mending, pay what you can if you can, and spend some time with some like minded folks!
Make sure to check out more content by Edible San Diego magazine!