Bgreen looks to make greenbacks selling green products in Ann Arbor

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 | Source: Concentrate

Tucked away in a small retail space next door to the Colonial Lanes bowling alley is the newest environmental feather in Ann Arbor's cap – Bgreen.

Daniel Stephens, of Ethnic Creations fame, started putting the business together about six months ago before opening in November. Now his new store sells environmentally-friendly home building and cleaning products, such as Low-VOC paint.

Stephens has been a retailer for about 20 years (his Ethnic Creations store is still open in Petoskey). The Ann Arbor resident has worked in the environmental movement for years and was looking for a new product mix. He put two and two together and came up with Bgreen.

"We try to be very comprehensive and we're growing everyday," Stephens says.

Low-VOC paint is one of the firm's main products, but it also offers sustainable flooring such as bamboo wood and countertops made of recycled materials. He also sells 100 percent biodegradable products, such as plates, eating utensils and cleaning products.

"There are very few cleaning products that you can let go down the drain," Stephen says.

The store employs five people right now, but Stephens expects that number to rise as the mainstream America works more and more sustainable options into its life.

Source: Daniel Stephens, owner and CEO of Bgreen
Writer: Jon Zemke