RACHEL CLINE

Located at 78 Burncoat Street in Worcester, the Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness (BCAW), is the spot for all things good for you and the environment. Co-owners Kimberly Mowers and Barbara Alteri bring an array of services and products that are rooted in sustainability, as well as their own passion for arts and wellness.

“We provide an eco-friendly and cost effective alternative to just buying what you can get at big box stores,” says Mowers.

The refillery at BCAW is filled with natural light, house plants, and lots of products that you can feel good about. “You bring in an empty container to refill and pay by the ounce,” Alteri explains. BCAW also has containers donated by customers for anyone to use if they’ve forgotten their own.

Their naturally absorbent rhassoul clay works wonders on skin inflammations from acne to bug bites. It also can be used as a hair mask to remove product buildup while moisturizing. Say goodbye to problem skin with BCAW’s Dead Sea Clay, a product that is high in salt and magnesium.

BCAW offers Beekman 1802, a restorative goat milk shampoo from a farm in upstate New York. EO’s grapefruit and mint shampoo is vegan friendly and sulfate free. Both products are available in bulk, so save your containers to refill when you need more.

Customer favorite Zerra & Co Daily Face Moisturizer is available in bulk. “It’s amazing, we all love it,” Mowers says. This vegan product is made with algae extract and aloe vera to nourish and soothe skin. Don’t forget to grab Zerra’s eyeshadow and tinted lip balm too!

Little Seed Farm’s goat milk deodorant is another top seller. This aluminum and baking soda free product is available to grab and go or refill. Natural deodorant can be a tough sell, but this brand works wonders.

Other local products include, Simply SoHope, a small business in Westborough that supplies BCAW with bath bombs and shower steamers, and Upton based Christian Hill Farm. Christian Hill Farm makes small batch handmade soaps available in a variety of fragrances and colors.


Mowers adds, “It doesn’t have to be expensive to be natural and organic. You think it could be, but it doesn’t have to be.” Mowers and Alteri stand by all their products and are more than happy to answer any questions, so don’t be shy to ask for a sample!

It can be hard to decide what to buy when everything in the store is environmentally friendly, sustainable and organic. “We wanted a place you could go where you know it’s good for your body and soul,” Mowers said. Stop into BCAW and support a small business by treating yourself with carefully curated, affordable products that are all natural.

BCAW is open Thursdays and Fridays 12 – 7 pm, Saturdays 10-5 pm and first and third Sundays 11-3pm.

For more information on BCAW, visit www.bcawworcester.com/.