Fair Trade Blog

I’ve only seen one side of Fair Trade in action — the retail side.   It’s a narrow perspective, if you want to really understand Fair Trade, like I do. 

The starting point of Fair Trade is just as important as the end point.  So, I’m off to Ecuador at the end of the month to see Fair Trade from where it starts.  I’ll be traveling on an educational trip from Dec. 31 to Jan. 15 with Minga Fair Trade International, a Fair Trade wholesaler here in Wisconsin.  

Fair Trade products most often come from cooperatives.  I’m most excited about seeing a few of these cooperatives up close.  It will also be my first opportunity to talk to producers about their process and how Fair Trade operates in their lives. 

We have been carrying Minga’s handmade clothing, and other items for over 2 years now.  Their handmade wool sweaters, gloves, hats, mittens, and other warm apperal has been popular with you, our customers.  I’m hoping to see how Alpaca fur goes from the llama to the socks or the hat, before it ends up on your head or feet!   

We’ll be staying in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.  Quito rests at over 9,000 feet at the foot of Mount Pichincha, an active volcano.  The climate is very mild and stable because of it’s elevation and proximity to the equator.  (Ecuador means equator in spanish.)  The landscape alone will be like nothing I have ever see, the culture like nothing I have ever experienced. 

I’ll be writing about my trip and bringing you photos in this space.  I may even be able to update you while I’m there.  And when I come back, I’ll be wiser and better able to bring you the stories of Fair Trade.

Keep shopping your good values!

We’ve decided to move, but not far!

If I look to the left from our desk and register, I can see the great new space we are moving into in early January.  Retail stores don’t usually take such short hop when they move, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.  When the lobby space of the historic Hotel Fortney opened up, we jumped at the chance to move into the grand old rooms facing Main Street.

In the meantime, we’ve relocated some of our beautifully distinctive Tropical Salvage furniture and we’re dressing the place up with local arts and crafts until our official change of address in a few weeks.  We have jewelry, painted ornaments, paintings, woodcarving, and more clever work to offer through Christmas Eve.

Spreading into the new space before moving out of the old has been a challenge, but thanks to some volunteer efforts, we are displaying in the old and new just in time for our annual Friends and Family Sale Saturday, Dec. 6.  

Check out the photo of one of our new windows painted by local artist Sandra Berger.  You can see all her window paintings through the holidays. 

Peace Dove art in window of Hotel Fortney.

Our location is changing, but our mission is not.  We will continue to offer fairly traded goods that you can feel good about purchasing for yourself, or giving to others. Come and visit us while we make the transition.  

Keep shopping your good values!