In a companywide transition to prioritize its online and wholesale business, Ten Thousand Villages is closing 13 of its stores that offer a variety of fair trade goods, including its store on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall.
Established in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has grown into a global enterprise focused on addressing economic injustice and unfair trade practices by selling the handcrafted wares of artisans living in underserved areas in more than 30 countries.
A sandwich board outside Ten Thousand Villages on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall advertises a sale, Monday, March 27, 2023.
Including a reorganization of its support office, the changes will allow the business to further expand into both the wholesale and e-commerce sector, which is often where corporations see more of a profit than in-person retailers.
“Our store and support staff affected by this change have been champions of fair trade, creating connections with customers and artisans alike,” CEO Dan …