Crossroads marks 25 years promoting fair-trade goods
What: Crossroads Global Handcrafts
BLOOMINGTON — After 25 years in downtown Bloomington,
Crossroads Global Handcrafts continues to provide an outlet for “fair
trade” merchandise with an operation run almost entirely by volunteers.
“I often say we’re selling an idea as much as we’re selling merchandise,” said Charline Watts, one of the founders and co-chair of the board.
The idea they are selling is that people and the environment should be valued, she said.
“Fair trade is an alternative way of doing business that has as its bottom line the value of persons and the commitment to preserving the health of the planet,” Watts said.
The workers who produce the products sold at Crossroads and similar stores usually are organized in a cooperative so they have a voice in their business, Watts explained. A commitment to safe working conditions also is part of fair trade, she added.
The goods for sale are as varied as the countries they come from: finger puppets and other unique toys, decorative accessories, jewelry and scarves, among other things. Watts said edible items are a growing part of their business, including fair trade chocolate and coffee.
At this time of year, Christmas decorations and Nativity scenes also are popular items, she said.
Prices range from a few dollars to $150, with the nearly all under $50, she said.
Watts said, “We’ve done amazingly well,” with gross annual receipts of about $200,000.
Not all products are from other countries.
For example, Crossroads sells bean and sauce mixes from the Denver-based Women’s Bean Project. That organization works with impoverished and unemployed women by providing training in job readiness and life skills.
The store is run almost entirely by volunteers. Store manager Renee Warren, who works half time, is the only paid employee at Crossroads.
Warren calls Crossroads “the Little Shop that Could.”
About 80 people form the volunteer corps. Watts said about half are over 50, but the volunteers range from their early 20s to Watts, who will be 80 next year. Six volunteers, like Watts, have been with the shop since its start in 1988.
The store has been at its current location since 1995.
What’s the secret to maintaining enough volunteers for 25 years to keep a store open six days a week?
“I think it’s because people believe in the cause and are trying to find meaning in their own lives by making a difference,” Watts said.
Warren said of the volunteers, “I want them to have fun. They should be really proud of what they’re doing.
As Crossroads celebrates its 25th anniversary, they are trying to bring in speakers for special programs. Cross-roads also has its own bureau of speakers who give talks about fair trade to community groups.
Among goals for this year, Warren said, is to boost membership in the Friends of Crossroads organization by 25 percent. The group currently has more than 80 members, she said
“I often say we’re selling an idea as much as we’re selling merchandise,” said Charline Watts, one of the founders and co-chair of the board.
The idea they are selling is that people and the environment should be valued, she said.
“Fair trade is an alternative way of doing business that has as its bottom line the value of persons and the commitment to preserving the health of the planet,” Watts said.
The workers who produce the products sold at Crossroads and similar stores usually are organized in a cooperative so they have a voice in their business, Watts explained. A commitment to safe working conditions also is part of fair trade, she added.
The goods for sale are as varied as the countries they come from: finger puppets and other unique toys, decorative accessories, jewelry and scarves, among other things. Watts said edible items are a growing part of their business, including fair trade chocolate and coffee.
At this time of year, Christmas decorations and Nativity scenes also are popular items, she said.
Prices range from a few dollars to $150, with the nearly all under $50, she said.
Watts said, “We’ve done amazingly well,” with gross annual receipts of about $200,000.
Not all products are from other countries.
For example, Crossroads sells bean and sauce mixes from the Denver-based Women’s Bean Project. That organization works with impoverished and unemployed women by providing training in job readiness and life skills.
The store is run almost entirely by volunteers. Store manager Renee Warren, who works half time, is the only paid employee at Crossroads.
Warren calls Crossroads “the Little Shop that Could.”
About 80 people form the volunteer corps. Watts said about half are over 50, but the volunteers range from their early 20s to Watts, who will be 80 next year. Six volunteers, like Watts, have been with the shop since its start in 1988.
The store has been at its current location since 1995.
What’s the secret to maintaining enough volunteers for 25 years to keep a store open six days a week?
“I think it’s because people believe in the cause and are trying to find meaning in their own lives by making a difference,” Watts said.
Warren said of the volunteers, “I want them to have fun. They should be really proud of what they’re doing.
As Crossroads celebrates its 25th anniversary, they are trying to bring in speakers for special programs. Cross-roads also has its own bureau of speakers who give talks about fair trade to community groups.
Among goals for this year, Warren said, is to boost membership in the Friends of Crossroads organization by 25 percent. The group currently has more than 80 members, she said
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