SPL LIVING
Entrepreneurs embrace environmental consciousness
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, we sought out some local business owners who took on
the challenge of bringing eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy living products to our community. From organic
hydroponically grown produce to laundry detergents with no toxins, these St. Petersburg entrepreneurs hold strong
beliefs that going green is a necessary step to a healthier, more sustainable and environmentally friendly planet.
Brick Street Farms
2001 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg
brickstreetfarms.com
Started in 2016, Brick Street Farms brings
freshly grown produce into the urban jungle.
Shannon O’Malley founded Brick Street
after moving to Florida from her home in
if not non-existent. She turned to hydroponics because it does not
involve any soil, can be done year-round and uses very little water –
a major issue in standard agricultural practices both because it leads
to a great deal of waste and because it severely limits the locations
of farms to where water demands can be met.
“We also don’t use any chemical pesticides or fertilizers, which
Megan McKenna. “It’s got a much smaller environmental impact
than traditional agriculture. We can hold up to two acres worth of
48 StPeteLifeMag.com March/April 2020
The farm is considered
hyper-local because they
produce at the point of
consumption, rather than
contributing to fossil fuel
depletion from national
and global shipment.
“This means our food has
a much longer shelf-life
and it maintains more of
said.
Brick Street produces
everything from leafy
greens to herbs and
microgreens, but lettuce
remains their most
popular product, with 10
looking to move into a larger warehouse as well as renovate their
2nd Ave. property, which opens the door to growing even more
Pete and we’re talking about other cities and maybe even states,
Brick Street produce can be bought fresh from their on-location
nut butters and pickled veggies. “Something we’re really excited
about is that we’ve just announced a partnership with Publix. We’re
starting out at the new Greenwise location in Lakeland, but we’re
And if you eat out a lot, you’ve probably already tried Brick Street
Farms without even realizing it. Their produce is found in restaurants
from downtown Tampa’s Oxford Exchange and Armature Works to
St. Pete’s IL Ritorno and Vinoy Renaissance.
Molly’s Suds
mollyssuds.com
Born at local farmers markets
from a desire to create
skin- and body-safe cleaning
supplies, Molly’s Suds
has grown into a heavilydemanded
supplier of soaps,
Oats, and online through Amazon, Walmart and Target, as well.
Inspired by the loss of her stillborn daughter and company’s
namesake, Molly, owner Monica Leonard made it her mission to
create cleaning products safe for the entire family.
“I used to be a pediatric nurse and that side of me worked through
stayed healthy but we never thought about window cleaner,
It’s Easy Being Green
BY KAYLA GLEASON
SPL salutes these role models. Now, go forth and go green!
/brickstreetfarms.com
/StPeteLifeMag.com
/mollyssuds.com