Eniko Olah, Owner of Sans Market
LGBTQ+ businesses in the United States contribute an estimated $1.7 trillion to America’s economy, creating thousands of new jobs each year. The Greenhouse celebrates the LGBTQ+ innovators, entrepreneurs & their allies who provide essential services and diversify our community!
GH: Tell us a little about yourself and your business!
EO: Sans Market is a low waste refillery and grocery store located in downtown St. Pete. The business was started in 2018 to combat all the single-use plastic in our community. Our goal is to restore the health of the planet but also the health of our bodies, with clean ingredients and plastic-free packaging.
GH: What inspired you to start your business?
EO: Reading about microplastics in my breast milk while I was actively breastfeeding my newborn just felt so overwhelming and frustrating, so I decided to do something about it. I wanted to create a space where you don’t have to read ingredient labels or worry about what will end up in the landfill or in your body.
GH: What do you love about having a small business in St. Pete?
EO: St. Pete has such a connected and supportive community and really shows up for the local businesses. In addition to having our regulars and locals, we had so many kind souls support us through Hurricane Milton when we lost the roof to our store. It made me really realize how special this city really is.
GH: What does Pride month mean to you?
EO: Pride Month is a time for acceptance and love (and some fun too!), so we love being downtown and feeling all of that good energy. Sometimes things can feel divisive when it comes to the environment or politics or economics, but Pride is a time when we put those things to the side and just celebrate love and life and the goodness of humanity. With a little sprinkle of compostable glitter of course. 😉
GH: What are your future goals/plans for your business?
EO: After coming out of this last intense hurricane season, we are looking to build more resilience into our business. We have plans to open up a second location and continue to expand our impact to other communities in the area. Stay tuned…
