Ten Thousand Villages

07/25/09

Worldly antiques get the fair treament off Ponce.

by Ryan Sims at Citysearch

In Short

Dutifully staying true to the ever-increasing groundswell urge to make trade fair with developing countries, Ten Thousand Villages fulfills their mission to sell only goods purchased directly from artisans, and paying them fairly for it. The space itself is rather large, knick-knacks, gifts, house-items and conversation pieces are exhibited throughout the store. Interesting highlights include handmade African percussion instruments to Pakistani Onyx wine glasses, to a doormat made of sandal discard pieces from a factory in a third world country. Volunteers often make up the staff, especially on the weekends, and there is always festive multi-cultural music playing over the speakers that can be purchased at the store as well.

12/22/05

great little store

by eli250 at Citysearch

very low prices and unique gifts, plus it all goes to a good cause. What more could you ask for?

• Pros: value, charity

11/02/04

Highland boutique full of multicultural gifts and accessories with a conscience.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Ten Thousand Villages overwhelms with its handmade worldly wares. One of its two rooms has shelves and tables full of home accessories, like statues and candlesticks, while the other houses clothes, jewelry and the like. This nonprofit store works with 70 other stores across the country on a fair-trade model--paying artisans around the world a percentage of the sales, rather than Third World salaries. The helpful salespeople are all volunteers, devoted to the fair-trade cause.

The Goods
Saris line the wall, wooden figurines adorn the shelves--this store offers a little bit of everything. You'll find handmade wooden animals from Kenya, pottery from Peru, and figurines and wooden boxes from Haiti and Bangladesh. All the pieces are extremely affordable, making the store an excellent stop for gifts.

06/10/02

Do all your Christmas shopping here

by erinbehan_citysearch at Citysearch

Shopping for gifts at Ten Thousand Villages is easy on your wallet and makes you feel good. The cooperative store stocks items made under fair trade agreements in a variety of countries. Items such as carvings, candle sticks and jewelry boxes line the shelves. The selection of beaded bracelets and necklaces rivals that of other area hip, trendy stores, but at a fraction of the cost.