Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena, a fair-trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with an outdoor party and giveaways featuring local businesses on Saturday, July 24.
Between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, customers can visit the store at 567 South Lake Ave. to enter the drawing for the giveaways and party outdoors on their front patio, with fellow fair trade enthusiasts. There’s a photo booth and free treats to enjoy, while you’re steps away from the store’s true draw: distinctive artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from skilled artisans from around the world.
“Pasadena has such a vibrant community of people who are passionate about making sure artisans get fair prices for their incredible work,” Rebecca Dunn, Store Manager at Ten Thousand Villages, said. “We love being at the center of this city’s fair trade community and have felt so supported throughout this really difficult year. Thank you, Pasadena, for an incredible 15 years! Here’s to many more. Now, come help us celebrate, but don’t forget your masks!”
Ten Thousand Villages has become a favorite gathering place for those who are passionate about fair trade, sustainability and social justice. It serves as a community touchpoint and often partners with local mission-driven businesses and shares space for pop-up events, though events have been halted for the past year.
The store is a familiar presence at the annual Taste of South Lake event in Pasadena, and at alternative holiday sales around town. In honor of Ten Thousand Villages’ 15th anniversary, Made by DWC, the Downtown Women’s Center social enterprise, has created a limited-edition candle line that’s exclusively available at the store.
As a global maker-to-market movement, Ten Thousand Villages connects artisans in developing countries with conscious shoppers in the U.S. offering ethically sourced gifts, homeware and fashion accessories crafted by hand. Every product and donation generates sustainable income – and impact – for 20,000 makers in 30 countries who earn a fair, living wage in safe working conditions.
Partnering with people often excluded from the marketplace, particularly women, Ten Thousand Villages shares the craft, culture and stories of makers through a network of over 50 branded stores and 300-plus retail partners as well as an e-commerce shop. Ten Thousand Villages has been doing business differently, putting people and planet first, since 1946.
For more information, visit www.villagespasadena.com.
