By Doug Staggs
Oct. 16, 2016
Ten Thousand Villages of Lincoln, at 140 N 8th St #125, celebrated their 35th anniversary on Saturday.
Part of a national group of shops specializing in offering fair trade craft goods from all parts of the world, Ten Thousand Village’s mission states that they strive “to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term fair trading relationships.”
The nonprofit organization partners with churches, groups and other organizations to offer fundraising opportunities to local groups while also sharing their artisan goods to a wider audience. Featuring a variety of goods ranging from jewelry, clothing and footwear to home goods and decor, they highlight craftspeople from nearly 36 different countries around the world.
Photos by Cameron O’Brien
The Lincoln location started in a dentist’s office near 70th & O Street and moved to a shop in Piedmont before finally making its way to the Haymarket. Of the more than 80 stores in the U.S. and Canada, the Lincoln shop is Nebraska’s only location and one of the largest in the company.
True to its mission as a nonprofit, Ten Thousand Villages relies on volunteers for its workforce, allowing all income to go to the artisans first.
Editor’s note:
KZUM is proud to have Ten Thousand Villages’ support as an underwriter since 2003. We appreciate their commitment to their community and the world. Find out more about them at TenThousandVillages.com/Lincoln.
As part of Saturday’s festivities, the shop offered discounts on merchandise, live music from the Kyoko Taiko Drummers, Nate Clark, and featured dancing by the Bellajhara Belly Dancers and the Lion Dancers. Also featured were Henna artists, screen printing, a chocolate making demo.
Doug Staggs and Cameron O’Brien are fall interns for KZUM
