Interesting new place to do advance Christmas shopping
by Trixie Reyna, Managing Editor
Didn’t the song say “Give love on Christmas Day?†Here’s a new store that turns shopping into a philanthropic and environment-friendly activity.
In the quaint new EchoStore, all the shopping you’ll be doing will not only benefit Filipinos who are most in need of your help but also the environment. Yet don’t underestimate the products you’ll find in this so-called “one stop shop for sustainable livingâ€: it in fact offers everything from chic bags and various skincare products to detergent, baby care products, colorful laptop bags and yoga mats, and even yummy treats you won’t find elsewhere.
Curious? Read all about the store and the many products they offer after the jump.
This concept store, whose name stands for Environment and Community Hope Organization (ECHO), is located at the Ground Floor of Serendra Piazza at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City. Sharing space with Kape Isla, tagged “the home of Philippine coffee,†EchoStore offers products that hope to influence consumers to be more caring and nurturing with themselves by purchasing products that are non-toxic, biodegradable and natural. “What makes it special is that finally, in one place, anyone who wants to live sustainably to help others and the planet can be found in this social enterprise shop,†states its owners, Chit Juan, Jeannie Javelosa, and Reena Francisco.
EchoStore is the first concept store of its kind in the country. In a mainstream high-traffic area such as that of Serendra, shoppers like us can get everything we need to get us started on living a sustainable lifestyle as we help livelihood development and poverty alleviation by supporting fair trade—all these as we enjoy the really interesting products this store has to offer. Indulge in a wide variety of products that include home décor, fashion accessories, health and wellness products, beauty and personal care products, food and beverage, and even books and music.
Among the brands available here are Ilog Maria Honeybee Farms, Z.E.N. beauty and wellness products, Holystic Haven natural skincare products, Messy Bessy cleaning solutions, and Indigo Baby, among so many others. The store’s partners also include Rags 2 Riches Foundation (that supply bags designed by Rajo Laurel and made by Payatas women out of rags), Filipinas Fair Trade Ventures (which offer chic bags made out of newspapers and the yellow pages), and Correctional Institute for Women (which also has pretty bags and other crafts made of recycled materials).
“When you buy something for other people here, you’re not just giving a gift; you’re giving a good habit to people,†says writer-artist-curator Jeannie. Imagine being able to help marginalized communities, creative industry practitioners, women groups, and foundations simply by doing what we love best: shopping. And you really get to appreciate just how wonderful Filipino products are through this store.
“This is something we want pirated,†says Chit. “Echo the concept and invite people to join the bandwagon to help more people,†adds Jeannie. You can be sure the gifts you’ll be giving away this Christmas would not only be unique and memorable, they are also helping the people who made them.
EchoStore Sustainable Lifestyle also aims to be a hub and center for meetings, events, and “kapihan,” allowing people to exchange ideas about sustainable living. EchoStore is open daily from 12NN to 10PM at the Ground Floor of Serendra Piazza (facing Market! Market!). For more information, call them at (02)901-3485 or email echolifestyle.store@gmail.com.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Nice!
September 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
i’ve never noticed echostore before but i’m so going there the next time i’m in serendra! i’ve always been a religious follower of z.e.n. products, and i would often trek to legazpi organic market just to refill on their lavander and tea tree oil body scrub. i hope they carry it there because that’s really a product i believe in. can’t wait to visit echostore
September 10th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I can’t wait to buy the silver Zesto bag from them!
September 10th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I’m looking out for the fresca olive hand gel and body mist! Super bango!
September 11th, 2008 at 10:16 am
yey! no need to go to tagaytay for ilog maria. i hope they they have enough stocks. can’t wait to try other products they carry.
September 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hi Lil,
According to the owners of EchoStore, they have limited stocks of Ilog Maria products, especially since Ilog Maria is still in the process of rebuilding their beehives which were destroyed by typhoon Milenyo. But I’m sure you can tell the EchoStore owners what products you’re looking out for so they can try to get them next time.
September 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Nice concept indeed. It’s about time, actually. I just hope the products won’t be way overpriced.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I will buy my Xmas gifts from them….
let’s support ECHO…
September 13th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’m a member of the Greenpeace movement and I’ll spread your good work. I think I’ll be a regular at your store ^_^
September 14th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Hi Bang Cruise… How do you become a member of the greenpeace movement?
September 26th, 2008 at 8:01 am
[...] materials is slowly but surely infiltrating the world of fashion and beauty. First, there was a store for sustainable living. This time, eco-friendly footwear made entirely of sustainable materials is introduced by Simple [...]
September 26th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Hi listen, i just signed up for greenpeace yesterday, they had a booth at robinsons place. but i think you can sign up through the internet also. you will have a membership card and you get updated with their causes and events:)
November 24th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
i love this store! they sell unique ECHO-friendly products! No need to drive up to tagaytay for Ilog Maria, Malunggay Pesto and chips are super good!!!
The staff are very courteous and friendly–specially AIDA. Also Lanie and Ruby.
November 26th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Wow! what a Great Store! I love the Lyf Saver and also the dried herring its so nice… And also the staff are nice and accommodating thanks guys (Jay, Lanie, and Aida) more power…
November 26th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
[...] ShopCrazy. One of them is Roanne Valerie Lim-Dionisio, 30, an importer who found our post on EchoStore, “Interesting new place to do advance Christmas shopping,†most helpful for her. “My hubby [...]
December 19th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
i’m doing my xmas shopping there this weekend! can’t wait!
December 27th, 2008 at 1:28 am
[...] we were happy with our sandwiches and salad greens. The restaurant, sharing their space with Echo Store, also carries various merchandise of local producers and artists (Yabang Pinoy, Ilog Maria, Messy [...]
January 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
[...] Picture source: http://www.shopcrazy.com.ph/2008/09/echo-store/ [...]
April 25th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Gday
Your website is heaven sent to me for one who has searched a product for ages and found it in your site.
I am really interested to meet the people/company/manufacturer of Z.E.N. products.I am hoping that you can help me out.
kind regards,
taliza
October 5th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
i hope there is a way to order online in echo store
October 9th, 2009 at 8:14 am
I am wondering is this and the eco market store connected? hope you could open up a website i’d like to see their prods. They have a branch that will open at te podium and i am so excited to go there. weeeehhhhh
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
@papu
high-low. ^_^
Echostore and Eco Market are under different companies.
Echostore branches are Serendra, Podium, Makati shang (travel corner) and Shang Mactan.
website is up echostore.ph.
^_^