Lakewood Roots For One World Shop Still Going Strong

Back in the early 1970s, it was the dream of people at Lakewood Presbyterian Church to help people live more responsibly for the sake of the earth and her people. After successfully holding Christmas fairs for several years featuring works of both local and distant artists, leaders opened the One World Shop in 1979. They officially began planting the seeds of Fair Trade in our community that would encompass worldwide artists and artisans.

In 1992, One World Shop moved to its current 19321 Detroit location. Vicki Lubin, Store Manager, states: “Lakewood is our biggest demographic customer base, with Rocky River a close second.”

What’s the big attraction? Lakewood customer Kathy Betz says Fair Trade is important to her. “I feel that I can help contribute to making life a little better for someone. The products are all handmade or hand-produced by artisans usually from developing countries. They are paid a fair wage and sweatshops are not involved. That matters to me. I’ve also bought coffee at One World for the past several years and belong to the Coffee Club. ”

Fair Trade also includes working with such people as coffee or cocoa farmers who pay their workers fair wages, or food producers who do likewise. It involves the whole chain of production, from planting and harvesting through sales. One World Shop carries fair-trade chocolate, coffees, and other food items as well as soap.

Ruth Gillett has also been a customer for years. “Everything is unique! When I want to buy a gift for someone and just don’t know what to get, I always find some special item at One World Shop. There’s jewelry, clothes, art works, musical items, personal accessories, etc. Items are from many countries. Beaded jewelry from Guatemala, for example, the stone work from Nepal, or the recycled pop-can jewelry from South Africa or Kenya, are all really wonderful. I like the purses from Nepal and Thailand. The Haitian metal art is very nice.”

Says Lubin, “Some items just fly off the shelves, and we can’t always get more of them. It depends on who is making them, and after all, nothing is mass-produced like in big economies.”

Sometimes a special cause finds its way into The One World Shop’s selections. Earrings from the Starfish Project, for example, help restore hope to exploited women in Asia. “I want to support people who are trying to get on their feet, it matters to me, and to many people who come into the store,” Betz says.

No matter what, whether you fancy an onyx chess set from Pakistan or singing bowls from Tibet, the One World Shop is a sweet adventure for discriminating shoppers of all ages and all seasons.

The One World Shop is located at 19321 Detroit Ave. in Rocky River.

Store Manager, Vicki Lubin, works with a small staff, board of trustees and volunteers. Store hours are: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5 and Sun 12-5. Stop in!