The Cabral family celebrates the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of their water refill store.
Photo credit: City of Chicopee – mayor’s office
CHICOPEE — On Oct. 8, the city of Chicopee officials, residents and members of the Refill Water Store gathered to celebrate the opening of the new storefront at 766 Unit B, Memorial Dr.
Refill Water Store co-owner Brian Cabral talked with Reminder Publishing about the family-owned purified and alkaline water business located in Chicopee, the first of its kind in Western Massachusetts.
Refill Water Store is a local refill station where customers can fill their own jugs with fresh, purified, or alkaline water at a fraction of the price of bottled water.
“We use a professional reverse osmosis and multi-stage filtration system that removes chlorine, metals and other impurities from city water to deliver clean, great-tasting drinking water,” Cabral explained, “Our alkaline water option adds essential minerals for improved taste and balance. Customers love that they can see exactly where their water comes from, refill whenever they need, and help protect the environment by reducing plastic waste. It’s a simple, affordable and sustainable way to stay hydrated and healthy.”
A five-gallon jug of purified water costs $5, while alkaline water costs $7. Customers can either bring their own jugs or purchase one at the store to fill with water in minutes.
Cabral talked more about the importance of a water refill store and stated, “A refill water store is important because it gives people control and transparency over their drinking water. Unlike prepackaged bottled water, which may have been sitting in warehouses or trucks for weeks or months, our water is filtered fresh on-site every day. You can literally watch the purification process, so you know exactly what you’re drinking. It’s not only healthier, it’s environmentally responsible, cost-effective, and keeps spending local within the Chicopee community.”
Although Cabral lives in South Hadley, he mentioned how he and his family have fallen in love with Chicopee.
“There’s a strong sense of community and collaboration here from local events to supportive neighboring businesses. Everyone goes out of their way to welcome and help new entrepreneurs, and that positive energy made us want to invest here. Opening in Chicopee has been a rewarding experience, and we’re proud to provide a reliable local source for purified and alkaline water to residents in Chicopee and nearby cities,” Cabral said.
The city hosted a ribbon cutting on Oct. 8 to welcome the new business to Memorial Drive and although the mayor could not attend do to a prior engagement, Cabral talked about how pleased he was with the turnout and support.
He said, “It was a huge and wonderful surprise. The mayor couldn’t attend due to a prior engagement, but we were amazed by the turnout and enthusiasm from the city, the Chamber of Commerce, and the community. Since the ribbon cutting, the response has been incredible, new customers stop in daily and nearly everyone mentions how refreshing and unique the store feels. People often comment on the welcoming, family-friendly environment and it’s been great to see so many residents excited about having a new local option for clean drinking water.”
Refill Water Store is currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cabral said they are closed on Sundays so the team can recharge and spend time with family.
Readers can also learn more at refillwaterstore.com.
