Small businesses are the backbone of many communities throughout the greater San Diego area.

If you live, work, or are passing through La Mesa, give yourself a clean start on the day with a visit to Kai’s Refills.

As owner Leann Littleton notes on her website, “Your local refill store located in East County, San Diego. Our goal is to support eco-friendly swaps in your daily life. We are a small business who prioritizes family, health, natural products, and the planet. ‘Kai’ means ‘of the sea’ and it is also the name of my daughter (Kai). We are a judgment-free zone ready to help support your eco-friendly swaps. Everything will come shipped in reused, recycled, or donated packaging. Our bulk soap bottles are on a closed-loop system so they will go back to the distributor when empty to be sanitized and reused. Thank you for shopping small!”

La Mesa Courier caught up with Littleton recently for an email Q&A.

LMC: Year your business started, location, and its social connections.

Littleton: I opened the business on 4/1/2023. Our physical location is 7590 El Cajon Blvd Suite E, La Mesa. (619) 335-7774. @kaisrefills on Instagram & Facebook. https://kaisrefillssandiego.com/

LMC: Talk a little bit about what your business has to offer.

Littleton: We are the main soap refillery for East County. I sell hand soap, body wash, dish soap, & laundry soap per ounce to name a few. This allows consumers to ditch the plastic waste & help reduce pollution, as well as offering clean and natural soaps. I carry fully unscented and provide scents & essential oils for customers to customize their lotion, laundry, dish soap, and more. To complement the refills, I sell plastic-free household items that are more sustainable such as unpaper towels, compostable sponges & toothbrushes, washable facial rounds, sustainable toothpaste options, shampoo & conditioner bars & more.

LMC: What sets your business apart from others in the industry?

Littleton: We are very family-friendly. When people see all of the glass in my shop (rather than plastic), they are nervous about bringing the young ones in. We have a community library, a kid’s area, & a shop dog named Lou. You’ll see my nieces roaming, or my 8-year-old, Kai. Sometimes it can be pretty chaotic in there. But we all have errands to run, whether we are parents or not, so I wanted to make sure everyone felt welcome here. After opening this business I went back to school and got my Masters of Legal Studies with an emphasis in sustainability law.

LMC: Your goal/s as a small business owner in 2025.

Littleton: My goal as a business owner this year is to have a year of growth. I want to be re-inspired by this place. I do this because of the amazing customers & what this place stands for. I want to reach more local customers & become more of a family staple. I hope to inspire others to start a sustainable journey.

LMC: Any message you have for La Mesa shoppers and those visiting your business from outside the area?

Littleton: Check our hours online and come on out! We always have an overflowing community shelf, so there are plenty of containers to get your soap home if you forget yours! If you’re just visiting La Mesa, please check us out and then possibly look for a refinery near your home. I’m always available on our social media or by email for questions relating to sustainability. This shouldn’t be a scary journey, this should be fun and rewarding!

*Editor’s note: If you have a La Mesa area small business you think might make for an interesting story, email: [email protected] for consideration.