Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley Pacillas.
Hi Kelley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The ideas behind River City Refillery began forming about 11 years ago. My husband Aaron and I had just had our first daughter and we began searching for the healthiest products to bring into our home for her. We researched lower toxin baby washes, laundry soaps and moved away from harsh chemical cleaners. As we continued to grow our family and learn more about the ingredients in our products, we slowly became pickier about what we wanted to use. The pickier we got, the harder it became to find products that met our high standards locally. This led us online with the overwhelming amounts of products, greenwashing (products that are described as clean or non-toxic, but really aren’t) and expensive shipping fees or monthly memberships. It was frustrating. We would find a great product, and then they would sell the company to a larger corporation and change the ingredients that had interested us in the first place. This cycle continued for years and we had always hoped in the midst of all this there was just a place we could go locally that had everything we needed, was clean and trustworthy, that did the countless hours of research for us. We didn’t know that we would be the ones creating that space.
The catalyst for River City Refillery came in early 2025. I was working remotely as a corporate payroll supervisor for a large healthcare company. My team and I processed payroll, in house, for nearly 40,000 employees bi-weekly. It was incredibly stressful and draining. I had been doing this for over 3 years and was burned out mentally and emotionally. I had always wanted to start my own business but practicality always won out. The same questions of “what about a stable income” or “what about health insurance” prevented me from chasing that dream for many years. When 2025 came, some of our personal situation changed and those issues and fears that I had all those years were somewhat alleviated. It was then my husband finally said that I had to do something else. I was miserable, our family was suffering and we needed a change.
I had always had some type of a non-toxic store in the back of my mind because this lifestyle was one of my main passions in life. I always loved to share about it with friends and family so I knew that I could confidently share about it with my customers. So we took a leap of faith. I put in my notice at my job and began working with the local SBC in New Braunfels to plan out our opening. I had never done anything like this before so there was a huge learning curve. From sourcing products to getting health department approval, everything was learned along the way with the support of my family.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of our biggest challenges has been education. While refill stores are becoming more common, many people still aren’t familiar with the concept. Every day, we have the opportunity to introduce someone to a new way of shopping, one that’s focused on ingredient transparency, reducing unnecessary waste, and making healthier choices for their home.
We’ve also learned that building trust takes time. There is so much information available about wellness and non-toxic living that it can feel overwhelming. Rather than telling people what they should do, we focus on meeting them where they are, answering questions honestly, and helping them make informed decisions that fit their lifestyle.
Like many small business owners, we’ve also balanced the demands of entrepreneurship with raising our family. There have been long days, unexpected challenges, and plenty of lessons along the way, but seeing our community embrace what we’ve built has made every obstacle worthwhile.
The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. Whether it’s growing a small business or helping someone create a healthier home, it starts with one step, one conversation, and one choice at a time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
River City Refillery is a little different than your average refillery because of what I like to call “human-first sustainability.”
Many refill stores are centered around reducing waste, and we absolutely believe that’s important. But for us, sustainability starts with people. Our primary focus is wellness, and we believe that what we bring into our homes matters just as much as what we keep out of our landfills. One of the simplest ways we can support our health is by reducing unnecessary exposure to questionable ingredients and single-use plastics, including microplastics.
Most of our customers first discover us through the recognizable wellness brands we carry, and once they’re in the store, they often try our refill items and fall in love with the model. Every product we carry, from home cleaners and personal care to herbal wellness products and everyday essentials, has been carefully researched and selected for its ingredients. We spend countless hours vetting ingredients so our customers don’t have to, giving them confidence that what’s on our shelves is something we’d use in our own homes.
The refill model also makes these products more accessible. Non-toxic products can sometimes come with a higher price tag, and buying a full bottle isn’t always realistic for every family. Refilling allows customers to purchase exactly what they need, whether that’s a few ounces or a full container, making healthier choices more affordable and reducing waste at the same time.
More than anything, we’re proud of the community we’ve built. River City Refillery has become a place where people can ask questions, learn about ingredients, discover local makers, and take small, sustainable steps toward healthier living without feeling overwhelmed or judged.
At the end of the day, we want our customers to know they don’t have to change everything overnight. Every small swap, every refill, and every intentional choice adds up, and we’re honored to be part of that journey.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is giving families a place they can trust. I want our customers to know that when they shop with us, the research has already been done. They don’t have to spend hours reading ingredient labels or wondering if a product is truly safe, we’ve done that work for them because we believe everyone deserves access to products they can feel good about bringing into their homes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rivercityrefillery.com
- Instagram: @rivercityrefillery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivercityrefillery
