Gemma is cool as ice and warm as a fireside song. She’s as fabulous and fresh as her perfectly painted pastel mint-ice-cream-green fronted shop.
Welcome to The Pantri Box, sitting out on the wide-angle curve of the Eastern Promenade, in all its seaside brio, by Sandy Bay, Porthcawl, Wales.
The shop front reminds me of a bright Vitrolite Milk Bar from the 1950s, like the one that sparkled inside, even on the dullest Tuesdays on the Edgware Road, back when I was at Art College. It was a place I loved to go many moons ago, for cherry pie and a glass of milk. And whilst The Milk Bar got turned into a chicken shop in London, The Pantri Box has refilled this part of Porthcawl with colour, taking over a postal office that had been derelict for 35 years.
Inside, they serve a killer Kimchi toast, good coffee & a whole bunch of refill essentials. No waste. Overbrimming with soul. Always a smile. It’s a not-for-profit, community interest plant-based café & refill store… and a whole lot more.
Who are you?
Gemma Lewis, Founder of The Pantri Box.
The Pantri Box is a zero-waste refill shop and organic coffee shop.
How did you wind up doing what you do?
Before I started The Pantri Box I was actually Global Head of Styling in a luxury fashion company in London! Quite the opposite of what im doing now! Whilst off on maternity I listened to Kate Arnell‘s podcast on zero waste. It was such a new concept to me… and I was hooked! I couldn’t go back into fashion and we decided to move back to Porthcawl for a totally different and more chilled lifestyle. That’s when I set up The Pantri Box in a converted horsebox on the harbour.
Why is The Pantri Box cool place to be?
I love my shop. The main reason being all the incredible people I have met. All the customers are just the best. It’s like a little family and I love coming to work. I guess I’m lucky that the kind of people that like the shop just happen to be really decent humans. We end up chatting all day, like we’re friends in a living room! I’d be kind of lost without it.
If you weren’t running The Pantri Box what would you be doing?
I do think about this from time to time, and as much as I love it I did actually only intend on doing it for a year… and now it has been 7! I would get back in to the creative industries in some way. Perhaps ceramics or dress design… but obviously sustainable fabrics! But I also dream of doing a job that requires zero inventory… just me and no baggage… like a therapist or something! I do love talking!
What’s on the horizon?
Well I’ve been running The School Pantri for 5 years now which is a project where I’ve been working closely with a local school to help them set up their own zero waste shop on their school grounds. We’ve managed to build it into the school curriculum teaching the children real life skills on how they can run a shop. The children have branded their refill shop and called it Eco Green Leaf. It’s been amazing, but my goal is to have this in not just one school but all 4 in my town. And perhaps even all 10 or so in the county! Thats the dream! Just need the funding!
What do you refill?
As much as possible. I’m a bit obsessed and fanatical. Whilst I have mellowed a little over the years I try and be as good as I can without ruining everyone else’s time and being super duper annoying!
Why?
We have one planet. I know that is a cliche… but it’s true. I am a massive massive animal lover. And these poor innocent animals don’t deserve the chaos we bring into this world. For them and my kids!
Coolest other refillable?
Hmmm, I love Scrubber deodorant. Really does the trick and great packaging. Also mooncup… I don’t understand why everyone hasn’t converted. Def a game changer.
How do you escape?
Reading. Obsessed.
Best moment
So many! Too many. Probs just being with my kids and husband in the sun on an adventure. With a book!
A valuable lesson
Don’t stress. Everything will work out in the end.
Recommend something
Travelling around Sri Lanka on a tuk tuk.
One place we should go see
My cats big fat tummy. Snuggling into that is the best.
Who is your inspiration?
My mum she’s been through aloooooooot & she always tries to stay optimistic and smiley!
Things you couldn’t live without
Cats. Kids. Cormac. Sister. Mum. Family. Books. Sun!
Last song you chose to listen to
