Matt Hutchison/Summit Daily News
About five years ago, amid the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia Hammock made a nervous jump from her work in the nonprofit realm, delving into the replenishment industry of the time.
She said that “a bit of madness,” hope and the background blending of environmental work will be a successful recipe. What began as a farmers marketside gig turned into a brick-and-mortar store in Silverthorn, bringing lots of support from the community, and customers sought a second place.
Now she finally gave them what they wanted by opening the Frisco location.
Opening her first location in 2020, minimal shocks, did not go without turbulence. It was a lesser-known concept that her shop was at the heart of, and the opening timing was both risky. She first tried to open in March, but ultimately had to push the full opening in July.
The impact of Covid-19 has shattered some businesses, but she has found an opportunity to lift her up.
“A massive influx of people throwing out masks, people are constantly throwing out gloves. That felt even more appropriate to show people there is a way to live with fewer disposable items,” she said.
That message resonated with people.
Hammock said her Silverthorn store attracts residents of Reedville, Eagle County and even Steamboat, in addition to locals at the Summit. A customer from south of Silverthone told her they wanted to bring a more central location in Summit County closer to them.
Just as many locals examine ideas for something and measure community interest, she took her to the Facebook group One Man’s Junk to see if the Frisco location was well received. After overwhelming “Yes,” she began working on finding a spot, and eventually did it in mid-December 2024 near the Rocky Mountain Coffee Roaster on Main Street.
In her first few months, she was able to curate more Summit County followers and Eagle County counties. She said Eagle County-based clients began coming more regularly after they said their favourite local refill store closed in early 2024.
She said that community values regarding waste mitigation already existed before introducing minimal impacts, so she provided education, which prompted more people to take action.
“I think one of the things that connects us all in these mountain rural communities is our connection to the environment,” she said. “Whether it’s skiing, hiking or kayaking, people are connected in some way. I don’t want to see decimation of outdoor spaces or places.”
With minimal shock, people can find shampoos, conditioners and other liquid detergents. They can bring their own containers or buy them in the store to fill them up. Hammock said he uses the app to assess how safe products are materials for humans, home pipes and planets, before raising her shelves. She also appears to carry as many Colorado-made products as possible, including Summit-based Luna Seeds and Littleton to two Ravens Thorpes.
“We’re trying to find products with zero waste and find products that will send you free plastics, and we’re also very concerned about the shipping distance,” she said.
At the Frisco location, she hopes to host events such as plants, toys and clothing exchanges to “get people into second-hand thought processes,” she said.
The minimum impact is at 281 Main St., Frisco. The prices of the products they carry vary greatly considering the nature of what is being sold. For more information on pricing and seasonal opening hours, visit minimalimpactlifestyle.com.
