Our Opening Preorder
A Thoughtful Beginning
We’re beginning Stillwater Apothecary with an opening preorder—a chance to introduce our first collection thoughtfully, prepare products in carefully planned batches, and start with inventory shaped by what our customers are actually excited to bring home.
Rather than producing large quantities before opening our doors, the preorder gives us a clearer picture of demand while allowing us to focus on the details that matter: careful preparation, thoughtful packing, and a strong start to the season ahead.
Preorder closes: September 18
Expected shipping: September 21-September 30
Orders placed during the opening preorder are paid for at checkout and prepared after the preorder period closes.
How the Opening Preorder Works
1. Shop the Opening Collection
Browse the products available as part of our opening release and place your order as you normally would.
Products included in the preorder are identified throughout the site, and your cart will show the current expected fulfillment window before checkout.
2. We Plan the First Production Run
Once the preorder closes, we use the orders received to finalize our opening production quantities.
This allows us to prepare products in appropriately sized batches rather than beginning with unnecessary excess inventory.
3. Production & Packing Begin
After the preorder period ends, we begin preparing, finishing, and packing orders.
Because this is our opening production run, preorder orders do not follow our normal in-stock processing timeline.
4. Orders Begin Shipping
We expect preorder shipments to begin during the shipping window shown above.
Once your order has been prepared for shipment, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation and tracking information when available.
Why Start With a Preorder?
Opening with a preorder gives us a better way to begin.
It helps us:
- Prepare our first products in thoughtful, manageable batches
- Begin with fresher, more intentionally planned inventory
- Better understand which products customers are most excited about
- Reduce unnecessary production and excess stock
- Put more attention into preparation, packing, and the details of each order
Most importantly, it lets us build the first production run around real orders rather than guesses.
After the opening preorder is complete, we’ll transition into regular operations with in-stock products fulfilled on our standard processing schedule.
Shipping Your Preorder
Opening preorder orders will generally ship once the products in your order are ready.
During this opening preorder, the assortment has been structured around products fulfilled directly through our own operation, helping us keep the launch fulfillment process as straightforward as possible.
Your cart and checkout will display the shipping options and charges available for your order.
Orders meeting the current free-shipping minimum for eligible merchandise will receive free standard shipping when applicable.
Please remember that the shipping window refers to when we expect orders to begin leaving our facility. Carrier transit time begins after a package has shipped and varies by destination and shipping service.
When Will My Order Ship?
Our current expected preorder shipping window is:
September 21-September 30
We’ll begin fulfilling orders as products are completed and ready for shipment.
Not every preorder will necessarily leave on the first day of the shipping window. Orders will be processed throughout the fulfillment period as batches are completed and packed.
Once your package ships, you’ll receive tracking information when available.
Will Everything in My Order Ship Together?
During the opening preorder, we generally expect the products in an order to ship together once the order is complete.
If circumstances require an order to be divided into multiple shipments, we’ll provide tracking information for the applicable packages.
After the opening preorder, our regular assortment may include select products produced or fulfilled from different locations. Those products may have different shipping arrangements, but they are not part of the opening preorder unless specifically stated.
Can I Change My Order?
If you realize you need to make a change, please contact us as soon as possible at hello@riverandrust.com.
We’ll make reasonable efforts to accommodate changes before the preorder closes and production begins, but we cannot guarantee changes once an order has entered preparation or fulfillment.
Because inventory and production quantities are planned around the preorder, some additions may be easiest to place as a separate order.
Can I Cancel My Preorder?
Cancellation requests received before the preorder closes and production begins can generally be accommodated.
Once we have begun purchasing, preparing, producing, or allocating products specifically for the opening preorder, cancellation may no longer be possible.
If you need assistance, contact hello@riverandrust.com as soon as possible.
What If the Shipping Schedule Changes?
The shipping window represents our best current production estimate.
Small-batch production occasionally brings unexpected delays—from ingredient or material availability to packaging, production, or carrier disruptions.
If something meaningfully changes the expected fulfillment schedule, we’ll communicate the update rather than leave you wondering where your order stands.
We would rather give ourselves the time to prepare an order properly than rush a product simply to meet an arbitrary date.
What Happens After the Preorder?
Once the opening preorder has been fulfilled, Stillwater Apothecary will transition into normal operations.
Most regularly stocked products will then follow our standard processing timeline, and products will become available based on current inventory.
Some seasonal releases, limited editions, or future new-product launches may still be offered through preorder from time to time when that approach makes sense.
Thank You for Being Here at the Beginning
Every opening order does more than purchase a product. It helps us understand what deserves a place in the assortment, how we should plan future production, and where the collection should grow next.
We’re grateful to have you here for the first run.
Thank you for helping us build Stillwater Apothecary from the beginning.