Austin Celebrates Opening of New Fair Trade Store Amid Retail Challenges

Austin Welcomes New Fair Trade Store

Austin, Texas, has something to celebrate as Ten Thousand Villages opens its new downtown store this October 18. Known for its fair trade home goods and gifts, this store has been a part of the Austin community since 2004, albeit with a bit of relocation in its recent history.

A Brief History of Ten Thousand Villages in Austin

Starting out on South Congress Avenue, Ten Thousand Villages has moved around the city a couple of times. After its initial opening in 2004, the store shifted to Burnet Road in 2015. This past August, it closed to make way for a more exciting venture. Now, the new store has found its home at 417 W. 2nd St, situated just past the western side of the 2nd Street District. It’s close to other notable businesses like Indochino, with Numero 28 and Local Foods across the street.

What Makes Ten Thousand Villages Special?

While Ten Thousand Villages has become a well-known name in Austin, its roots trace back to Akron, Pennsylvania, in the 1940s. The store started with a mission to support women artisan groups in Puerto Rico, and its reach has expanded globally since then. The goal of this nonprofit chain is to provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and empowerment for women and marginalized communities worldwide.

Shoppers at Ten Thousand Villages can expect to find a diverse array of goods that cater to many interests. The store features:

• Home goods: From decor to games, there’s something for everyone.
• Kitchen tools: Functional items that are also artistic and beautiful.
• Bath products: Including skincare, laundry items, and more.
• Outdoor goods: Perfect for enhancing any garden.
• Jewelry and accessories: A lovely selection to choose from.

More Than Just Shopping

Additionally, Ten Thousand Villages goes beyond just selling products. The store hosts a variety of events, such as:

• Workshops: Hands-on learning experiences.
• Tastings and craft nights: A chance for creativity and enjoyment.
• Pop-up markets: Featuring local artisans and items.
• Benefit nights: Fundraising events for various organizations.

To make shopping accessible, the store offers discounts for teachers, seniors, and city hall employees. For those looking to be more involved, there are opportunities to volunteer and support these artisans from Central Texas.

Commitment to Fair Trade

Ten Thousand Villages has been a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation since 1994. This membership indicates their dedication to fair trade practices, including regular business evaluations and ensuring that makers receive fair wages. While more intensive certifications do not apply to handicrafts, the Fair Trade Federation recognizes Ten Thousand Villages’ efforts in this area.

Support for Struggling Locations

As part of its community involvement, Ten Thousand Villages directs online shoppers to support stores that need help. The featured locations currently include the new Austin store and others impacted by unfortunate events, like Hurricane Helene that affected areas in North Carolina.

Visiting Ten Thousand Villages

The new store in Austin is officially open and ready for visitors to explore. Its hours of operation are as follows:

• Weekdays: 11 am to 6 pm
• Saturdays: 11 am to 7 pm
• Sundays: 11 am to 5 pm

For more details about their products or events, you can visit their website at tenthousandvillages.com.

Big Lots Faces Major Store Closures

In other news, the national discount chain Big Lots is facing some challenging times. Recently, the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced additional store closures across Texas, including 23 newly reported locations.

The company had already closed 344 stores during an initial round in September, with one closure in Austin. They recently added another 150 locations to the closure list as part of their bankruptcy proceedings. Among the closures, a location in Round Rock at 6900 San Pedro Ave, Ste 119 is among those hitting the chopping block.

Geographical Impact of Closures

Texas stands out as the most affected state in this recent round, with a total of 23 closures. Other states facing significant impacts include California with 17 closures, New York and Florida each with 9 closures.

This latest action brings Big Lots’ total number of shuttered stores nearing 500. The company is now planning to transfer its assets and ongoing business operations to Nexus Capital Management, a private equity firm.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, both new opportunities and challenges arise for local businesses and shoppers alike in Austin and beyond.