Stores that sell international goods save customers the hassle of paying huge online-shopping shipping fees or spending the night in jail when neighbors find you rummaging through the vacation souvenirs in their garage. See the world with this Groupon.
$15 for $30 Worth of Fair-Trade Goods and Gifts
Ten Thousand Villages' Evanston location, currently celebrating the 15th anniversary of its opening, boasts a broad selection of fair-trade items. Shoppers might pick up a super-duck backpack from Bangladesh ($24), a pair of dancing-girl earrings from Kenya ($12), a capiz cat bookmark from the Philippines ($8), or a marbled-bead choker from India ($16).
Ten Thousand Villages
All big movements start small, but many would be surprised to learn that Ten Thousand Villages—a nonprofit and retailer with 390 outlets nationwide—began out of a car trunk. In 1946, Edna Ruth Byler started the organization out of her car, taking a name from a quote by Mohandas Gandhi, who said, “India is not to be found in its few cities but in the 700,000 villages.” Her willpower and determination allowed her vision to grow into a nonprofit that today supports more than 130 artisans in 38 developing countries. These artisans' wares go on sale at the organization's nationwide retail outlets, which brim with items including jewelry, home decor, and refrigerator cozies.
Everything is made using environmentally friendly processes, and every artisan is paid a fair wage. The money raised from sales goes to supply the artisans—who might otherwise be unemployed or underemployed—with education, food, housing, and healthcare. The organization has risen to such stature that it won the People’s Choice Award for Green Business of the Year in 2005, and has acted as one of the founding members of the World Fair Trade Organization.
Reviews
I'm in full support of its fair trade mission, and the all-volunteer staff is very friendly and helpful.
Jen P., Yelp, 3/24/12
They sell everything from textiles for wall decor, knickknacks, and garden items, to toys, world music cds, and fair trade coffee.
David K., Yelp, 5/9/12
Tips
99% of 409 customers recommend
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“Great variety of lovely items!”
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“Greatsource of Fair Tradecoffee and decorating goods. ”
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“Owner was very pleasant and the store's display of products was laid out very nicely. This store is located in Evanston, IL and was a little to far for me to go but...”
“Owner was very pleasant and the store's display of products was laid out very nicely. This store is located in Evanston, IL and was a little to far for me to go but I will also check out the Oak Park, IL location which is a lot closer to me. Must check them out at your earliest opportunity; you won't be disappointed.”
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