Golessthan

Golessthan Less Than is a zero waste + refill shop offering sustainable alternatives to everyday goods that are

We’d like to take a moment to give land acknowledgment and honor the legacy of the Indigenous peoples who have long care...
02/06/2026

We’d like to take a moment to give land acknowledgment and honor the legacy of the Indigenous peoples who have long cared for the lands our shop now occupies in the Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk. ⁣
⁣
In Norfolk, the waterways of Chesapeake Bay once provided sustenance and a thriving way of life for the Nansemond Indian Nation. Their deep-rooted connection to the Nansemond River and surrounding lands nurtured traditions of fishing, farming, and trade. Their knowledge of seasonal cycles and practice of harmony with the environment continues to inspire Norfolk’s maritime heritage.⁣
⁣
The Nansemond people built vibrant communities closely intertwined with the local ecosystem. Their sustainable practices and stewardship of natural resources remind us that living in balance with nature is not only possible, it is essential. These practices have shaped the identity of this region and continue to influence our approach to conservation and mindful living.⁣
⁣
We also acknowledge the lasting impact of colonization, which disrupted these ancient ways of life and displaced many Indigenous communities from their ancestral lands. Despite these challenges, the enduring spirit and resilience of the Nansemond Indian Nation and all Indigenous communities remain a powerful influence in our region today.⁣
⁣
We invite you to learn more about these original stewards and their rich heritage at nansemond.gov⁣
⁣
💚 + 🥂 ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
Image Credit: Historical map of Tsenacomoco (1607) by John Salmon, courtesy of Encyclopedia Virginia.

30/05/2026

I remember when I first came to the States as a child from St. Thomas. We arrived in Nantucket, where my grandmother worked as a chamber maid (a common job title at the time) and we were just getting our footing.⁣
⁣
There were times when we had very little, and times when we had nothing at all.⁣
⁣
I remember a particular food bank we’d visit. There was usually a line, and we’d wait our turn for pantry staples that helped create or stretch meals. One of our go-to foods was a Johnny Cake. In the Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean, it’s a simple fried dough made from flour, baking powder, butter, and water. If you’ve never had one, think of it as something between a fry bread, fry bake, or bannock depending on where you’re from. It was humble, but versatile.⁣
⁣
In the morning, we’d split it open and add butter, peanut butter, or jelly. At lunch or dinner, we’d stuff it with whatever protein we had and eat it like a sandwich. Sometimes we just ate it plain.⁣
⁣
That little food bank and my first real experience with the wealth gap in America has stayed with me. I don’t share it often, but I always tried to give back to the services that once supported me.⁣
⁣
I share this pantry box across the street from the shop not to glorify giving, but simply to raise awareness that it’s there. If you’d like to contribute, consider dropping off a few pantry items when you’re able.⁣
⁣
And if you grew up with a similar story or know someone who did, give it a try. I’ve found that helping others, people I may never meet, has a way of healing the child still living inside of me.⁣
⁣
💚🥂⁣
⁣

Today is Leave a Review for a Small Business Day (this isn’t actually a recognized holiday), but honestly it probably sh...
29/05/2026

Today is Leave a Review for a Small Business Day (this isn’t actually a recognized holiday), but honestly it probably should be.⁣
⁣
Take a moment to think about the places you’ve visited in the past week. Did you enjoy your experience? If so, find that small business online and leave them a review. Most businesses are listed on Google, and Google makes it easy to leave a star rating and write a quick note about your experience. Yelp also has a strong review system, especially for restaurants and local services.⁣
⁣
Other ways to support small businesses include Facebook recommendations, Apple Maps reviews, TripAdvisor (for travel + dining), and even niche platforms depending on the industry.⁣
⁣
If you use the Nextdoor app, take a moment to post about a local business in your neighborhood that you’d like to share with your neighbors. A simple “had a great experience here” goes further than most people realize.⁣
⁣
Supporting a small business doesn’t always mean spending money. Sometimes it’s the simple, free act of raising awareness sharing your experience, leaving a review, or telling an algorithm, “hey, this place matters.”⁣
⁣
Another easy way to support your favorites is sharing their posts. Bonus points if you tag them and say why you like them. Over the past six years in this industry (and in previous ventures), we’ve seen the strongest connections come from direct shares and word of mouth that travels digitally.⁣
⁣
It doesn’t have to be us, but if you’ve got a small business you love, take a minute today to leave them a review, share their work, or help someone else discover them.⁣
⁣
Or start a petition to make this an official holiday. We’d sign it.⁣
⁣
💚🥂⁣
⁣

A reminder that our hallway and lounge continue to serve as exhibition spaces for both local and regional artwork. The p...
28/05/2026

A reminder that our hallway and lounge continue to serve as exhibition spaces for both local and regional artwork. The piece pictured above, painted by a local artist, found its new home this week.⁣
⁣
In addition to showcasing emerging artists, we also offer exhibition opportunities for private collectors looking to share works from their personal collection with the community. We are currently displaying pieces from a private collection featuring Tarkay.⁣
⁣
Whether you’re an artist interested in exhibiting up to 10 pieces or a collector wanting to curate a temporary showing, we’d love to chat. You can schedule a conversation with us using the exhibit link on our website at enjoyceremony.com/exhibit⁣
⁣
💚 🥂⁣
⁣

25/05/2026

April 2020 we got the keys to our first location on Shirley Ave in Ghent and started building on an idea that reimagined the way people got their needs met.⁣
⁣
By May 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, we launched Less Than as a sustainable packaged zero waste shop. A month later we soft launched our refill station with liquid and powder goods, helping shape the refill and zero waste concept that so many of you came to support.⁣
⁣
In May 2022 we introduced Ceremony, our non alcohol bottle shop, bringing alcohol free options from around the world to our community and helping show that celebration and connection never needed alcohol to exist.⁣
⁣
In October 2023 we tested a non alcoholic bar concept with a three month pop up at Vessel. By February 2024 we wrapped up the pop up and got to work planning what came next using everything we learned along the way.⁣
⁣
In April 2025 we got the keys to our new location on Baldwin. By July our blueprints were approved to officially convert the space into a non alcoholic bar and restaurant. In March 2026 we completed the major renovations and this month we celebrated our 6 year anniversary. ⁣
⁣
What will be our next milestone?⁣
⁣
💚 🥂⁣
⁣
📸
⁣

Today is our 6 year anniversary and year 5 was the hardest one yet.⁣⁣⁣⁣Statistics show that only about half of small bus...
23/05/2026

Today is our 6 year anniversary and year 5 was the hardest one yet.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Statistics show that only about half of small businesses make it to the five year mark and as we wrap up that year, we can understand why.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
This past year pushed us harder than any before it. While navigating our slowest performing year to date, we made the decision to leave our small space on Shirley Avenue and take on something three times larger because we believed deeply enough in what this could become.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Over the last 12 months, we’ve poured ourselves into restoring and reimagining a century old home into the future of Less Than + Ceremony. A space where people can shop for nonalcoholic options in person, gather in a lounge designed around conversation rather than intoxication, and soon enjoy a seasonal food and pastry program centered around thoughtful ingredients.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It has required more than we can properly explain. Tight budgets and timelines. Delayed restocks that we’re still recovering from. Seven day work weeks, 15 hour days, and a level of personal sacrifice that rarely makes it onto social media.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
But our goal has always remained the same: to create what is missing in our community and make healthier and more sustainable options more accessible.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Whether that means giving people the ability to refill their containers with cleaner products instead of constantly buying more plastic and synthetic chemicals, or creating a space that encourages fellowship, conversation, and living more intentionally.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
A special thank you to everyone who heard the vision and instead of saying, “I’ll come back when your bar and kitchen is open,” said, “Let me pick up something now and we’ll see you again later.” That is genuinely the difference between a business surviving and a business closing.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Next week is a very big week for us and represents six years of work, sacrifice, risk, and support finally coming together.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Wish us luck 💚🥂⁣⁣
⁣⁣

No alcohol bottles. No plastic bottles. No bottles without a lid or cap. No bottles with a smell.⁣⁣⁣⁣👆 This is what we’r...
19/05/2026

No alcohol bottles. No plastic bottles. No bottles without a lid or cap. No bottles with a smell.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
👆 This is what we’re able to accept for our free container station. 🚨 The biggest issue we run into is scent 🚨 Even after washing and sanitizing, smells tend to stick around… and no one wants pickle-scented conditioner.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
We’re currently running low on containers for the free section, especially wide-mouth jars for thicker or powdered goods.⁣ ⁣
⁣⁣
Take a look through your stash and bring by anything that fits. It helps keep this program going and supports our zero waste mission. If you share this news with someone, please also share with them what we accept. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
💚 🥂⁣⁣
⁣⁣

We never try to convince anyone. We simply create the solution. It’s up to each person to decide if it matters enough to...
17/05/2026

We never try to convince anyone. We simply create the solution. It’s up to each person to decide if it matters enough to utilize it. ⁣
⁣
The reality is that the plastic bottle of product you bought doesn’t disappear when you toss it. ⁣
⁣
Over hundreds of years, it breaks apart into smaller and smaller pieces until it becomes something almost invisible. Scientists call them microplastics, tiny fragments now found in oceans, rainwater, seafood, blood, lungs, reproductive systems, and even human brain tissue. Recent studies have also detected microplastics in semen, menstrual blood, and amniotic fluid. Scientists are still learning what this means long term, but one thing is already clear… plastic doesn’t really go away. ⁣
⁣
Most of us are conditioned to buy the same products in new plastic containers over and over and over again. ⁣
⁣
That’s why refill shops matter. And honestly, it’s rare to have one local. ⁣
⁣
We’re fully refilled on liquids and open today from 12–5. We’d love to see familiar faces and new ones taking one more step toward a lower-waste world. ⁣
⁣
💚 ⁣
⁣

Our shelves have been restocked with Plant Paper! 🧻 ⁣⁣Why bamboo? Bamboo grows incredibly fast, requires far less water ...
16/05/2026

Our shelves have been restocked with Plant Paper! 🧻 ⁣
⁣
Why bamboo? Bamboo grows incredibly fast, requires far less water than traditional tree-based paper products, and can regenerate without needing to be replanted. ⁣
⁣
It’s also naturally soft and durable while helping reduce dependence on old-growth forests.⁣
⁣
Unlike many conventional toilet paper brands, Plant Paper is made without added dyes, fragrances, chlorine bleach, BPA, or formaldehyde, making it a thoughtful option for both your home and the planet.⁣
⁣
💚⁣
⁣

Less Than brand refills are restocked and ready for purchase today. ⁣⁣Our shelves are filled back up with everyday essen...
12/05/2026

Less Than brand refills are restocked and ready for purchase today. ⁣
⁣
Our shelves are filled back up with everyday essentials including all purpose cleaner, dish soap, hand soap, laundry care, and dishwasher powder for your dishwashing machine. Bring your bottles back in, we’ll weigh them before your refill, and you can stock back up on the things you use most while cutting down on single use waste.⁣
⁣
If you’ve been curious about refill shopping, this is a great time to stop in and explore the station. Tap that re-share button if you’d like to introduce a friend to lower waste living.
⁣
💚⁣
⁣

Address

806 Baldwin Avenue
VA
23517

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11:00 - 19:00
Wednesday 11:00 - 19:00
Thursday 11:00 - 19:00
Friday 11:00 - 19:00
Saturday 11:00 - 19:00
Sunday 12:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+17574023909

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Golessthan posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Grocery Store?

Share