Former Ten Thousand Villages store explains

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Regarding "Some Stores in the West Resist Ten Thousand Villages' New Contract" (March 3): The board of directors and managers of CrossRoads MarketPlace, formerly Ten Thousand Villages & Crossroads Thrift in La Junta, Colo., made a sound business decision to move from a contract to a wholesale relationship with Ten Thousand Villages U.S. It was neither a matter of resistance to the new contract nor a lack of commitment to the principles of fair trade and artisans around the world. It was a matter of fiscal responsibility. The decision allows CrossRoads MarketPlace to maintain its longstanding relationship with Ten Thousand Villages with the added flexibility to maintain and expand our fair trade product lines.

In the March 3 article, Craig Schloneger is quoted as saying, "We are pleased that the vast majority of stores have signed the contract, as this helps us strengthen our relationships with artisans around the world."

The commitment to our artisan partners has been above reproach for nearly 23 years, and that commitment remains the cornerstone of CrossRoads MarketPlaces' mission statement: to provide a vital and fair income to artisans in under developed countries by marketing their handi-crafts and telling their stories in our community. We are mission-driven, and as a Ten Thousand Villages U.S. wholesale account, we will continue to offer hand-crafted products from our Ten Thousand Villages artisan partners. I invite everyone to visit Southeast Colorado, and while you are here stop and enjoy the unique shopping experience at CrossRoads.

Associated Issue: A fair balance - March 3, 2009

Associated Article: Some stores in the West resist Ten Thousand Villages' new contract

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