Ten Thousand Villages opens at Cedar Fairmount

Photo by Jeff Balasz

View Image Gallery

Ten Thousand Villages of Cleveland (TTVC) has relocated from downtown Cleveland to the former Grapevine location in the Cedar Fairmount Business District. The relocation marks seven years in the Cleveland area. The new store, which opened in May, is slightly larger and will offer the same one-of-a-kind, handcrafted products as the former downtown store.

Ten Thousand Villages is a local, national, and international business leader with a commitment to social and environmental responsibilities. This fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home décor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe features products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 38 countries. The large selection of items includes hand-woven scarves from India, colorful earrings from Peru, hand carved statues  and baskets from Africa, pottery from Mexico, and much more. 

As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair-trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work, while providing consumers access to distinctive handcrafted items. It is a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, a global network of more than 350 fair-trade organizations in 70 countries.

Corrinne Wallner, chair of TTVC’s board of directors, has been involved with the group for the past seven years. She said, “Ten Thousand Villages creates fair trade and a fair wage for artisans to help them improve their quality of life.” She spoke of a woman who was able to send her son and daughter to college with the income provided from TTVC. 

“Artisans are paid half the cost, when the order is placed," said Wallner, "And the remainder when the crafts are received by TTVC. Entire villages are often involved in producing crafts, providing a better quality of life.”

Ten Thousand Villages is located at 12425 Cedar Road. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, from 1 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call 216-575-1058.