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Ten Thousand Villages, 4711 Forest Drive #9 (Forest Park Shopping Center): 16 Feb 2008   4 comments

Posted at 12:37 am in Uncategorized

I wondered if Columbia could support a store like this, and unless they have just moved somewhere else, I guess the answer is no: Even a non-profit store has to pay rent & utilities.

If I understand the concept, Ten Thousand Villages was to sell crafts from third world countries with more of the selling price making its way back there than is the usual case. That's a nice idea, but people still have to buy them. Walking by there from time to time on my way to CVS, I would see things that, while I could appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that went into them, I really didn't have any desire to put in my house. Of course I'm the sort who thinks you can never have too many pictures of the beach on your walls, so take that for what it's worth.

Too bad.

UPDATE 4 March 2010: Added full street address and precise closing date (from this link) to post title.

Written by ted on June 15th, 2008

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  1. Hate to see this one go; it was a cool store run by good people.

    Payne

    19 Jun 08 at 9:00 pm

  2. There is still one in Asheville, in the square. It is a very cool store. There is always a trinket to pick up. I had no idea there even was one in Columbia.

    Jonathan

    20 Jun 08 at 10:36 am

  3. Been in Columbia 11 years and had never heard of that store!

    JP

    J.P.

    24 Jun 08 at 4:22 pm

  4. This store sold handcrafted items from around the world. The artisans were paid a fair wage (unlike most of we get from overseas at say Wal-Mart)and the buyer got unique items at a fair price. As a non-profit they did not advertise much. They will continue to have sales at various locations in Columbia a few times a year. The nicest location of this enterprise I have been to is in Raleigh in Cameron Village. The location here was not so good--they were tucked in a corner that was easily overlooked. I suggested also their wares would do better in Five Points where shoppers like the unique over the mass produced.

    K.

    22 Jul 08 at 8:45 am

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