Not Just a Pretty Space

What began as a specialty store designed to meet growing demand for green goods and services has since evolved into an innovative community hub and resource center. Under the progressive guidance of sustainable living advocate Lydia Corser, greenspace has become sort of an unofficial incubator for all things eco.

No pretense here – in Santa Cruz green has gone mainstream and nowhere is it more apparent. Greenspace hosts activities galore, all designed to build community, educate and advocate in the most downhome manner possible. Drop by for one of their many after-hours classes and events, maybe catch a documentary espousing the benefits of issues like the importance of preserving diversity in our food system, and you’re likely to find Lydia handing out bags of fresh organic popcorn she’s just whipped up behind the counter.

Find your way into this invitingly designed contemporary shop during regular business hours and it’s you’ll notice how appropriate the name – it’s a space in the truest sense of the word. Greenspace is as much about educating people on the importance of living in harmony with the earth’s systems as it is about providing the means to do so. Call this Step 1 in the green living incubation process: Start with renewed awareness. As Maya Angelou says, “Once you know better, you do better” - serves as a befitting reminder to look for easy ways to restructure old habits.  What better place to begin than here?

Which segues right into Step 2: Take steps toward sustainabilty in any way that works for you. Whether that means replacing products containing toxins with healthy alternatives, or buying local to reduce your carbon footprint, these steps are best taken one at a time. Reusables for example are a great gateway initiative, and greenspace offers a healthy array, from reusable bottles and bags to amazing products made from reclaimed materials - here single-use disposables are strictly passé.

Moving on to Step 3 (which is as far as we’ll go today): Discover the bigger picture. Innovative building and remodeling materials like sustainable cork and bamboo, toxin-free paints, plasters and carpeting, all provide healthy alternatives that are also sustainable. That’s the beauty of greenspace , more than simply a retail store, they’re committed to providing the products and expertise to help our community sustain a healthy planet for generations to come.

Where: 1122 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, 95062
When: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm / Saturday & Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm
More: www.greenspacecompany.com