Good Deeds Market: Cape May County’s First Zero-Waste Store
Good Deeds Market:
Where Small Actions Multiply Into Impact
Inside Carpenter's Square Mall at 31 Perry Street, something extraordinary is happening—a quiet revolution against single-use plastic, a celebration of mindful consumption, and proof that one small store can shift an entire community's consciousness. Good Deeds Market, Cape May County's first zero-waste lifestyle store, isn't just selling products. Owners Greg and Jacki are offering a roadmap to living more intentionally, one refillable container and beeswax candle at a time.
What locals love most is how Good Deeds makes sustainable living genuinely accessible rather than intimidatingly perfect. No judgment, no eco-warrior superiority—just honest support for wherever you are on your sustainability journey, whether that's switching to solid shampoo bars for the first time or fully committing to a zero-waste household. The store specializes in products that are reusable, refillable, compostable, biodegradable, or as plastic-free as possible—everything from plant-based makeup and natural deodorants to silicone bowl covers, all-natural paint pigments, and sustainable pet supplies.
Image Via Good Deeds Market instagram
Greg and Jacki's story reveals the heart behind the mission. They started in 2012 printing t-shirts from a small NYC studio apartment, raising funds for Hurricane Sandy relief, Multiple Sclerosis, and cancer research. They discovered something profound: when you do good, you feel good. That realization became a life philosophy. During COVID-19, becoming hyper-aware of plastic pollution washing onto Cape May shores, they took steps toward creating a net-zero home. But the tools didn't exist locally for others wanting the same journey. So they expanded, creating the convenient resource their neighborhood needed.
Image Via Good Deeds Market website
The product curation is thoughtful, extensive, and genuinely useful. Personal care offerings include solid shampoo and conditioner bars (eliminating plastic bottles), natural deodorants that actually work, plant-based makeup, and zero-waste dental care. Home goods feature reusable alternatives to everyday disposables—beeswax food wraps instead of plastic wrap, Swedish dishcloths replacing paper towels, refillable cleaning concentrates, and beautiful items that make sustainability feel luxurious rather than sacrificial.
The refill station might be the store's most transformative feature. Bring your own containers or purchase beautiful glass bottles, then fill with cleaning products, personal care items, and household essentials—paying only for what you use while eliminating packaging waste entirely. Locals have made refill runs part of their regular routines, and there's genuine satisfaction in watching those bottles get used again and again instead of discarded after one use.
What elevates Good Deeds beyond typical eco-retail is the community engagement. Monthly beach cleanups don't just remove trash—they educate, create awareness, and inform the store's product assortment. Finding certain plastics repeatedly on beaches motivates Greg and Jacki to source alternatives, creating direct feedback loops between environmental impact and consumer choices. Locals who participate in cleanups become invested advocates, understanding firsthand why these sustainable swaps matter.
The store funds tree planting for every item sold—both in-store and online—tackling the climate crisis through reforestation while supporting your everyday purchases. It's the kind of thoughtful addition that makes every shopping trip feel purposeful.
But here's what insiders really know about: the beeswax candle dipping workshops. These aren't your typical craft classes. Greg and Jacki guide participants through the meditative practice of candle dipping—slowly, deliberately, one layer at a time. The repetitive, hands-on process requires focus and attention that naturally quiets the mind, promoting genuine mindfulness. Many participants describe entering that satisfying state of flow where time dissolves and external stressors fade.
Beyond the meditative benefits, beeswax candles offer remarkable properties. Unlike paraffin candles that release toxins, beeswax actually purifies air by releasing negative ions that bind to airborne particles like dust, pollen, and allergens, neutralizing them and improving indoor air quality. The multi-layered dipping method creates candles that burn more smoothly and evenly. Each participant leaves with their own set of taper candles (vegan wax available upon request), plus newfound appreciation for slow creation.
Image Via Good Deeds Market website
The workshops have become legendary for bachelorette parties, couples retreats, family bonding, team building, and "just because we need this" friend gatherings. BYOB policy adds celebratory elements, and the 12+ age minimum means multi-generational participation. Locals book these repeatedly because the combination of mindfulness, creation, and community feels increasingly rare in our distracted world.
Good Deeds also partners with local hospitality groups, providing sustainable products to Cape May vacation and rental properties. Guests discover that staying in partnership properties means supporting broader environmental efforts—another way tourism can enhance rather than harm the community.
The art supplies section deserves special mention—all-natural paint pigments, sustainable craft materials, and creative tools that don't compromise safety or environment. Parents appreciate knowing their children's art projects aren't exposing them to unnecessary toxins.
What makes Good Deeds genuinely special is Greg and Jacki's unwavering commitment to their core values: honesty, integrity, authenticity, equality, and simple kindness. Every product undergoes scrutiny ensuring it aligns with these principles. They want making a difference to be easy, and their thoughtful curation proves it can be.
Locals treat Good Deeds as both practical resource and inspiration. You arrive needing sustainable dish soap and leave with a new understanding of how small actions, multiplied across a community, create genuine impact. The store proves that sustainable living isn't about perfection or deprivation—it's about thoughtful choices that honor both personal wellbeing and planetary health.
In an era of overwhelming environmental challenges, Good Deeds Market offers something priceless: actionable hope. One refillable bottle, one beach cleanup, one beeswax candle at a time, Greg and Jacki demonstrate that individual actions matter, community engagement works, and living your values feels better than any convenience single-use culture promises.
Image Via Good Deeds Market website
Good Deeds Market
31 Perry Street (inside Carpenter's Square Mall)
Cape May, NJ
info@gooddeedsmarket.com
What You'll Find:
Zero-waste personal care (solid shampoo bars, natural deodorants, plant-based makeup)
Sustainable home goods (reusable alternatives, refill station)
Eco-friendly gifting
Natural art supplies
Kids' sustainable products
Plastic-free pet supplies
Books and cards
Special Experiences:
Beeswax Candle Dipping Workshops (BYOB, 12+, perfect for groups)
Monthly Beach Cleanups
Refill Station (bring containers, reduce waste)
Impact:
Tree planted for every item sold
Monthly beach cleanup data informs product selection
Partnership with local vacation properties
Locals know: Start with one swap—maybe solid shampoo or reusable food wraps—and build from there. Greg and Jacki meet you where you are without judgment. Book the candle dipping workshop for your next celebration—it's meditative, memorable, and you leave with functional art. And join a beach cleanup at least once—understanding the problem firsthand transforms how you shop. This isn't just a store. It's a community hub for people who believe small actions, multiplied by many, change everything.