reCAP Mason Jars Brings New Life to Used Mason Jars: Giving You the Business

An idea just over 10 years ago—has now proven to be a product that people and companies have bought for gifts and essential use. All of it is made in Erie.

Made with love in Erie, Pennsylvania. Various "caps" are the core of Karen Rzepecki's female-owned mason jar company, reCAP Mason Jars. 

"We're the makers of reCAP Mason Jars, so that is the different specialty caps for mason jars," said Karen. 

She started the business with just an idea—on the crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter.

"It did really well," said Karen. "And by spring of 2012, the next year, I was in production." 

The current operations are done inside the Keystone Research Corporation off West 12th Street in Erie.

Online orders are prepared on-site for shipping. After the boxes of goods are assembled in the back warehouse.

Karen had wanted something that she could use to shake salad dressing, so she created her first cap. There's been variations over time, and additions as well, like a handle, so you can use it as a water bottle.

"I do the design, and I work with a part designer, and from there we would give it to our molder," said Karen. "And so we use Plastek for our molding, and we also use Plastek for our tool and die."

What are the stock items?

"We have a pour cap, a flip, a pump, a sprayer, oil," said Karen. 

And even an explorer that started with a book written by a local author.

"We're publishing it, and this is our print for going exploring, and it goes with the little bug catcher, which is a reCAP product," said Karen. 

There's even a glow-in-the-dark pump—Karen's favorite. The pumps are the most popular product. 

According to Karen, all the caps are BPA-free, food-safe, freezer proof and made with love right here in Erie.