Dominique and Charles Hydell’s Save the Container (53795 Main Road, Southold, 631-914-0413) store has been open for almost two years, and their sustainable, environmentally friendly products are a hit with customers.
This fall, the couple is opening a new 640-square-foot space behind their storefront called Blank Canvas Social House, where they plan to hold workshops and rent out the space for private gatherings and events.
“Instead of expanding the store we were thinking of other ways to use [the space],” says Dominique Hydell. “I always wanted to do workshops to spread knowledge and information on sustainability and waste.”
The Hydells, both Navy veterans, live in Peconic with their two school-age children and opened the store in March of 2025. The business encourages customers to bring their own containers to fill with shampoos, conditioner, shower gel, body wash, all-purpose cleaner, baby wash and baby shampoo. It also carries environmentally friendly towels, soaps and other natural products.
Save the Container sells environmentally friendly items and refills soaps, shampoos and more. (Photo credit: Dominique Hydell)
Hydell says that some of her customers weren’t sure how difficult it would be to live in a more sustainable manner. “I want to get people to see that it is not intimidating or overpriced,” says Hydell. “Living sustainably is not as hard as people think it is.”
Save the Container decorated a Christmas tree for last year’s Festival of Trees at Trieber Farm in Peconic, which generated questions from curious viewers. The tree sported handmade items made from natural materials.
“We used dried fruit, twine, and 100 percent cotton ribbon,” Hydell says. While at the festival, she took the opportunity to talk with spectators about “what sustainability means, what a refill shop is, what zero waste is.”
The store’s upcoming workshops and activities aim to continue the conversation.
Sessions for kids include a Little Makers Social Club for kids 3 to 5 and a School Age Social Club for kids 6 and older. Other activities include a low-waste fall reset on Oct. 16, where you can learn to make your own natural cleaning products to take home, and an adult craft and DIY social on Oct. 30 to work on your own project or on a painted paver activity.
Hydell notes that the workshops will continue through the winter and each month will have a different theme — October’s being an introduction to the sustainable lifestyle, and November’s focused on creating your own body oil to combat the cold weather.
“People love it. I wanted to be able to show that I’m still here and there’s plenty of things to do during the winter,” she says.
The interior of Blank Canvas Social House. (Photo credit: Dominique Hydell)
The Blank Canvas Social House space can accommodate 40 to 50 people, depending on the event, and comes with some parking behind the building.
Those interested in renting the space can inquire at the Save the Container storefront or call 619-770-7328.
For details on workshops and to sign up, call 631-914-0413 or go to the store’s Instagram @savethecontainer_.
Save the Containers hours are Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Blank Canvas Social House hours are every day from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
