RETAILER OF THE MONTH

Chosen for their inspirational appeal the Retailer of the Month will be sure to have a story that motivates you! Visit us each month for a new retailer’s story.

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS:
Nominate your inspirational retailer by emailing: shall@mmart.com

Retailer of the Month: JULY 2008

Name: Kevin Frahm
Company: The Mission Marketplace
Location: Chelsea, Michigan
Years in Business: 2 years
Store Type: Fair Trade Marketplace/Nonprofit

Website: www.themissionmarketplace.org

With a passion for a world where there is “enough for everyone” Kevin Frahm, Executive Director, started The Mission Marketplace as a physical manifestation of that vision. By sourcing Fair Trade and Green vendors from around the world The Mission Marketplace has created an inviting store that also invites change.

You will see this invitation when you enter the store and are greeted by light catchers made by homeless women in South Africa—they are created from recycled tea bags and are inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt’s comment “A woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until you put her in boiling water.” Kevin can tell you the story of these strong and resourceful women—which educates consumers and helps sell merchandise.

Also featured are stacks of organic clothing, recycled juice box purses, kites from Bali and doormats rigged out of old tires by a homeless man in Detroit, Michigan. Look a little further and you will find elephant dung paper products, shiny Kenyan earrings made from telephone wires and rich “Sari Dropping” purses, hats and gloves made by industrious women in Indian silk factories who fashion these inventions from sari scarps. All products have a rich and layered story that Kevin shares with customers

Aside from educating his customers The Mission Marketplace also educates the children of the community through weekly events at the Chelsea library. These events include a craft hour—stringing Ugandan Paper beads or creating unique tile work— with a message about the people of country the products are from. The children’s creations are for sale and profits go to local charities.

Store events are tied to the community and Fair Trade products. Recently The Mission Marketplace hosted a well attended event with fair trade artisan Oscar Santalan from Otadalo, Ecuador. Oscar works with his family create musical instruments which he played at the event inviting local children to join him in the revels. “We created a real community connection” Kevin explains, “connecting people from around the world to ensure there is enough for everyone is what our store is all about.”