Refill Interview: Marissa, Sonora Refillery (Oceanside)
This blog post is part of our Refill interview series. In April 2026 I interviewed four, local, refill shop owners for an article in Edible San Diego magazine. I found these interviews to be insightful and impactful, so I think it is important to share them in their entirety since the article could only feature small pieces.
Interview with Marissa
Was there a specific experience or realization that inspired you to open a refill shop?
Travel. In early 2014 I traveled to Cuba then to New York for the first time and it was like I saw our past and future in these two trips. What really stood out was consumption and waste. Cuba was pristine with little to no waste, while New York was overflowing with unmanaged waste.
How has your original vision for the shop evolved since you first opened your doors?
The shop has become a mini version of what I had originally wanted. It’s too small to evolve past its space.
What is one of your biggest challenges? And something you want your customers to know.
One of my biggest challenges is finding truely sustainable, quality products made with out harmful ingredients that actually work. A lot of research, trial and error, and patience.
Do you find your typical customer is already an environmentalist, or are you seeing more "curious newcomers"?
We are currently seeing more “curious newcomers”. People are starting to come in and prepare themselves for the process. They’re curious about what alternatives are available and how they’re used. The more people learn about plastics, the more interested they are in making changes.
How do you decide which items to stock and what is the sourcing like?
There is a very important checklist we stick as close to as possible. No plastics inside the product ingredients or packaging. Organic is always preferred. Preservative free. Fragrance free. Fair Labor and Fair Trade is always preferred. Sourced as close as possible. Quality and value.
Why are refill and plastic free options important?
Refill and plastic free options are important to start the journey away from crude oil based products and packaging from permeating our homes and therefore our bodies. Without alternatives we would be forced to purchase what’s available to us. This also gives us an opportunity to encourage future generations to continue these practices and hopefully by the time they are influencing their children, it’s seen as common and the best thing to do for everyone. This is how you change a wasteful culture.
What would you say to someone who is interested in shopping at a refill store but doesn’t know where to start?
I would say, take your time. Make a list of the items you’d like to change and start with the items you’d like to change first or, are most convenient. Habits don’t change overnight but preparation can help you maintain the changes and routines.
What is the one item people come in for most, and what is the one item you wish they bought more of?
The items people refill the most are liquid dish soap and laundry detergent. Every home is cleaning clothes and washing dishes regularly. I wish people bought more pet alternatives. People tend to forget how their home environment affects their pets. The ingredients in their pet shampoos and what their toys are made of. If it’s a polyester chew toy, your pet is ingesting bits and pieces of crude oil based plastics. It’s like chewing on a plastic bag and eating pieces of it.
Do you stock any food items, and if so, why is shopping bulk bins for food important?
We have cooking oils by the ounce. Organic teas and spices by the gram. Having the opportunity to buy spices by the gram is very helpful for those recipes that require an ingredient you hardly use and therefore end up wasting. Shopping bulk is very important. It gives the customer the freedom to buy what they need, reduces waste from packaging but also from over consuming and expiring products. When you’re able to purchase the amount you need, you’re able to save money and that helps everyone.
Make sure to check out more content by Edible San Diego magazine!