The Ten Thousand Villages (TTV) store in Vancouver has closed, but the idea of fair-trade products continues to inspire a new generation to shop both ethically and globally. Kasandy/Locally Global occupies the space that TTV formerly had on Granville Island.
“We are a fair-trade shop in exactly the same ethos, values and beliefs as TTV,” says owner Jackee Kasandy. “They, in fact, are who we emulated as we started our business.”
Kasandy describes her business as “an independent, fast-growing destination for locals and tourists at the centre of downtown Vancouver, offering consumers unique, everyday products and gifts at affordable prices, a fun shopping experience and the opportunity to make a global impact. The only difference is we have more contemporary products: leather goods, Kenyan baskets, et cetera.”
Since Kasandy is from Kenya, she personally knows the importance of enabling artisans to support family and community through selling their crafts. Most of her products are from East Africa, but she also supports local artisans and other groups from around the world by selling their products too.
“We have been buying wholesale from TTV for some of our products and are looking forward to continuing to do so,” she says.
Mennonite Central Committee Canada closed most of its TTV shops earlier this year. Abbotsford’s MCC Centre location is the only one remaining in British Columbia.
Do you have a story idea about Mennonites in B.C.? Send it to Amy Rinner Waddell at bc@canadianmennonite.org.
Related stories:
Former Ten Thousand Villages stores in Alberta rebrand
Ten Thousand Villages Canada shuts down corporate operations
Selling fair trade items, Kasandy/Locally Global in Vancouver continues in the spirit of Ten Thousand Villages stores. (Photo courtesy of Jackee Kasandy)
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