12 comments for Ten Thousand Villages, Pasadena »

1. 

   I’d like to think that Ten Thousand Villages would be financially solvent, even without people working for free.

   But would it actually be? As you said it is quiet cheap now. (although a $24 doller (€19) fruit bowl is expensive to me)

   But if it had the same over heads as other stores. The bowl would be a lot more expensive. Also I guess with a decent wage they would pay their staff would it be sustainable?

   I am not sure but it certainly would be out of the reach of many people on low wages and there is a question that I would be interested in seeing a post on this blog.

   Can a person live ethically on minimum wage? Or even considering how low america minimum wage is how about $9.50 an hour.

   Comment by simon — October 9, 2006 @ 9:32 am

2. 

   Urth Caffe Question:

   Hi! I’m going to Urth Caffe today and was curious about their coffee policy. I found this on their website:

   http://www.urthcaffe.com/standards.html

   They seem to be conscientious about coffe standards and the environment and living wages, yet they don’t mention fair trade certification. What is you opinion on Urth in particular and this scenario in general?

   Thanks for your insight,

   Larry

   Comment by Larry — October 9, 2006 @ 10:51 am

3. 

   That’s nearer a Living Wage you’re talking about, darlin Simon.

   The federal minimum wage for covered, nonexempt employees is $5.15 per hour.

   For CA, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on recently that will raise the minimum wage in January to $7.50 an hour and add another 50 cents the following January — making the $8-an-hour minimum wage the highest in the nation.

   Of course, my darlin Green Party is for a Living Wage, not a minimum wage at poverty level.

   Cheers,
   Lisa

   Comment by Lisa — October 9, 2006 @ 11:57 am

4. 

   I don’t work for TTV, but I do work for a very similarly structured fair trade organisation which also has a large retail network and which also enjoys the (vital) support of many hundreds of volunteers.

   Please bear in mind that when we were getting started, there was no money to pay anybody.. in the early years we relied totally on volunteer help and, in some instances, people putting their own assets on the line in order to raise capital.

   As our business developed over the years, and we took on greater overheads with the establishment of stores which needed fitting out, and which had rentals to be paid, we continued to rely in many instances totally on volunteers to keep our shops running.

   Yes, we would like a situation where we were so financially strong that all our shops could support paid staff (and more and more now do) – but we’re not there yet.

   Far from lamenting that TTV shops are not truly sustainable, please celebrate the fact that they’ve come so far with the vital assistance of so many wonderful – and essential – volunteer supporters.

   Comment by Justin — October 9, 2006 @ 1:34 pm

5. 

   That’s nearer a Living Wage you’re talking about, darlin Simon.
   It is actually the Irish minimum wage.

   Comment by simon — October 10, 2006 @ 1:24 am

6. 

   Does anyone know of any other stores that do this? I’m on the east coast (Boston) and would love to check out a place like this.

   Thanks,
   Jim

   Comment by Jim — October 10, 2006 @ 11:40 am

7. 

   Ok ok. Justin — I’m not saying 10k villages is “bad” for using volunteer help — I’m just saying that I’d like a world in which what 10k villages has to offer would be so popular so as to be totally doin’ great financially, even without volunteer help. “Lamenting” is exaggerating what I said a bit.

   simon and Lisa — Yes, our minimum wage really is quite low :( On the upside, at least with the new min wage that’s coming in Cali, we’ve made some progress –

   Jim — Ten Thousand Villages are all over the US — I know there’s definitely one in Cambridge. And in fact, there’s so much good stuff happening in Boston! You’re quite lucky :) The easiest to find out all that’s going on might be by joining the Boston Fair Trade Coalition.

   Comment by Siel — October 13, 2006 @ 8:47 pm

8. 

   Siel,
   I’ve enjoyed reading the conversation and look forward to being more engaged. Your observations and criticisms are at the heart of what must be done to move fair trade into the spotlight. For-profit, worker owned, social entreprenurialship is where it has to go. We started 10KV with the goal of opening up new trade flows with our friends in Central Amer. and Haiti, get the word out in the community and partner with local non-profits to offer opportunities for internships.

   Volunteers are a key at this point, though there are multiple Fair Trade vendors we purchase from like Anti-body, and others that are for profit. One couple in Sonoma County who worked with 10KV for years has started several for profit exclusively fair trade stores, they are called Baksheesh, very well done.

   We need to have cocktails for causes after hours at the store….we have party space upstairs!

   Erik, co-founder 10KV pasadena

   Comment by Erik Clarke — October 24, 2006 @ 8:19 am

9. 

   Thanks for dropping by, and for the thoughtful comment, Erik :) I do agree that while for-profit, worker owned, social entreprenurialship is what we should all aim for, the for-profit part takes some time :) I do appreciate what you guys are doing at 10KV, and only wish your store was closer to me!!

   So would 10KV Pasadena really be open to a fair trade cocktail party? Cuz most of the stuff I hear ’bout are like “nativity” gatherings and such (I’m not religious) that I and a lot of my friends wouldn’t be interested in. Then again, maybe you’re thinking more ’bout the closer, Pasadena demographic?

   If you really would be open to a cocktail thing, I can help arrange it! :)

   Comment by Siel — October 24, 2006 @ 10:57 pm

10. 

    siel-
    Our “nativity” gathering was actually quite the hit…sorry you missed the great cider..wink. Understand we have a broad variety of shoppers and many appreciate nativity scenes. But we have more fun with afterhour wine/cocktail/loudmusik and laughing events.
    write me here: eclarke@pasadenavillages.com
    e-

    Comment by Erik — October 26, 2006 @ 7:49 pm

11. 

    Yeah — I know some atheists who actually like nativity scenes cuz they’re cute :) Sometimes I forget about all the wine drinking in the bible! After all, it was the first “miracle,” eh? :)

    Back to reading Inferno –

    Comment by Siel — October 27, 2006 @ 12:22 pm

12. 

    I walked thru this Marvelous Shop, as it’s right next 2 Lake Ave Hair Salon. WHAT a Discovery & what a FIND! I purchased a Wedding Gift for my son & fiance, & several unique Greeting Cards,+ a GR8
    gift 4 someone else. This is a store that is Green & Golden with Hidden Treasures in every corner!!!
    Thanks 4 being where U R! GR8 Location!! :):):):)
    (U earn 4 smiles in MY Book of Happiness!! :):):):)

    Comment by Marjan Swantek — September 1, 2008 @ 1:56 pm

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