Ten Thousand Villages Coming To Spotsylvania Mall

The owners of the announced that the unique nonprofit fair-trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages will open a 2,700-square-foot store at the mall's Village at Towne Centre.

Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for mall owner The Cafaro Co., said the country's oldest and largest fair-trade retailer is scheduled to open in September between Books-A-Million and Aveda Tulips SalonSpa. Ten Thousand Villages offers hand crafted jewelry, home décor, personal accessories, tableware, stationery, art and gift items from artisans in developing countries.

The nonprofit retailer has fair-trade relationships with artisans in 38 countries that help provide them with a sustainable income. Product sales help pay for necessities like food, education, healthcare and housing for women and men who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.

The company was founded in 1946 and began a global movement through the work of Edna Ruth Byler. Bell said Byler was struck by the overwhelming poverty she witnessed during a trip to Puerto Rico in 1946, where she was moved to take action.

Ten Thousand Villages is part of a retail network of more than 75 stores throughout the United States, and purchases from more than 130 artisan groups. .