Fair Trade Store Expanding to Ohio
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based not-for-profit fair trade store Global Gifts is opening its first out-of-state location. The organization will hold a grand opening next month for a Columbus, Ohio store. During an interview last year on Inside INdiana Business Television, Executive Director Sam Carpenter discussed Global Gifts' 25th anniversary. It already has two locations in Indianapolis and one in Bloomington.
February 25, 2014
News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For more than 25 years, Global Gifts, a nonprofit fair trade organization, has provided ethically produced crafts and food items through their three retail locations in central Indiana. Today, the group has announced plans to open a new fourth location—their first interstate endeavor—in Columbus, Ohio.
“Indiana consumers have shown tremendous support for our fair trade mission,” says Global Gifts' Executive Director, Sam Carpenter. “We believe the Columbus market provides a great opportunity for us to continue to spread that mission throughout the Midwest.”
The new store will be located in Columbus' Short North district, a thriving arts community in the heart of the city. Like its Indianapolis locations, the Columbus Global Gifts store will carry fair trade jewelry, home goods, gifts, and food items representing dozens of countries worldwide. All of these products are made according to the principles of fair trade, which emphasizes fair pay, safe working conditions, gender equality and environmental sustainability.
The Columbus location is both a strategic move and an opportunity for partnership. The city boasts a growing interest and awareness of fair trade due to educational initiatives, and Global Gifts has a strong relationship with Columbus' existing fair trade organization, Global Gallery.
Global Gallery previously occupied the Short North location that will house Global Gifts' new store.
“We're excited to continue and expand upon the good work Global Gallery has done in this location,” says Carpenter. “And Global Gallery will continue their fair trade work in Columbus through their Clintonville coffee shop and other community initiatives. We're looking forward to having such a strong local partner.”
Global Gifts' Columbus store at 682 N. High Street will celebrate its Grand Opening March 21-22 with live music, a sampler’s feast of fair trade goodies, and other activities.
About Global Gifts
Global Gifts is a volunteer supported, nonprofit, fair trade organization. Founded in 1988, Global Gifts is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. Global Gifts supports impoverished artisans and producers in the developing world by providing vital fair trade income and employment for people of limited opportunity, by marketing ethically produced and ethically obtained handmade products, by educating the public about the cultures and traditions associated with the items for sale, and by helping consumers in Central Indiana spend their shopping dollars in ways that benefit disadvantaged people and around the world. More information at globalgiftsft.com.
Source: Global Gifts