Ten Thousand Villages plans anniversary celebrations

Artist Higo Gabarronordorica Muñozflores created this cupcake to celebrate Ten Thousand Villages' 13th year in Greater Cleveland, and its 5th year in Cleveland Heights. 

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This year, Ten Thousand Villages in Cleveland Heights is celebrating five years in the Cedar Fairmount district. Originally located in downtown Cleveland, Ten Thousand Villages has been bringing fair-trade handicrafts to the Greater Cleveland area for 13 years. Named “Best Place to Buy a Gift” in the 2013 FutureHeights Best of the Heights Awards, Ten Thousand Villages has become a mainstay for unique, handcrafted items.

Ten Thousand Villages supports more than 130 artisan groups in developing countries, such as Burkina Faso, Chile, Pakistan and others. Each item represents fair wages, healthcare and education for its artisans, especially women. As a nonprofit organization, Ten Thousand Villages prides itself on serving the Cleveland Heights community through educational outreach, such as school visits and community partnerships.

Over the past five years, Ten Thousand Villages has donated more than $10,000 to organizations, including the Cedar Fairmount Special Improvement District, The Music Settlement and the Dougbe River School of Liberia. The store is able to do this through community shopping nights in which a percentage of sales benefit a nonprofit's mission.

To celebrate the store’s fifth anniversary in Cleveland Heights in May, Ten Thousand Villages has planned some special events. A sale on all jewelry runs through Mother's Day, May 8. The store will also host a clearance sale from Thursday, May 12, to Sunday, May 15. This sale will feature an abundance of merchandise, and proceeds will fund the store's ongoing efforts to update its technology, along with other in-store improvements.

A party featuring the work of local artist Higo Gabarronordorica Muñozflores will be held on Friday, May 13, 6–8 p.m. Visitors can expect good food and many fair-trade finds at these events.

Other events are planned throughout the year, including a summer fundraiser at Nighttown on Friday, July 15, and the annual Rug Event at the Alcazar, Sept. 22–25. For more information on events and partnership opportunities, visit www.tenthousandvillages.com/clevelandheights.