The Valparaiso International Center is connecting Valparaiso with other countries through The Welcome Mat. Opening on July 15, The Welcome Mat will offer fair trade international goods. Having previously held fair trade fairs and continuously working to educate the community about different cultures, the VIC was a natural location to open the store. “We wanted to fill the gap in the [fair trade] market in Northwest Indiana,” stated Executive Director Andrew Jones. Chicago is the largest fair trade city in America, yet Northwest Indiana remains limited in its fair trade offerings- until now.
Fair trade items help provide basic human rights, by preventing abuse of artisans, abolishing child labor, and offering fair wages to the artisan, along with providing environmental stability. Purchasing fair trade goods helps give others good, sustainable employment, particularly for those in war-torn countries, those in poverty, or in situations where opportunity is limited. “[Fair trade] gives the artisans self-respect, not just handouts,” stated Andrew.
The VIC works with organizations that represent fair trade artisans or directly with the artist themselves, in order to make sure a sustainable amount of the purchase goes back to the artist. The items available for purchase are often handmade and contain cultural significance. Great for unique gifts, the store offers everything from hand-printed tablecloths from India to scarves from Africa and Guatemala, paintings from Mexico, jewelry from Peru, furniture from Thailand, and wall art, dishes, and teas from around the world. Each item will have a tag that offers a picture of the artisan, along with their story. “We wanted [The Welcome Mat] to be more than your normal shopping experience,” Andrew said, “Even if you don’t buy, you’ll get an education about the person who made it.”
“Everything here has a story,” said Andrew. The Peruvian jewelry is handmade by a man in Peru, who supports his family by selling his creations on the street. The Thai furniture is created by workers in rural villages; orders for furniture are spread equally amongst the villages in order to give everyone a fair chance. Some of the wall art comes from Haiti, where recycled oil drums are chopped up and stamped into unique, beautiful images. The Welcome Mat doesn’t just support international needs; beans are available for purchase from the Women’s Bean Project, an organization to help women facing chronic unemployment and difficult life situations.
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309 E Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-464-1122
“We’re focused on three goals: highlighting the artisan, giving sustainable revenue, and lastly, supporting our general operations,” stated Andrew, “Whatever money we do make on this goes back to the VIC for festivals, events, and classes to educate the community.” As The Welcome Mat is a non-profit store, all purchases are tax free. All methods of payment are accepted as well, except for American Express.
Stop by the store, starting July 15, to learn more about fair trade and experience a little bit of culture. The Welcome Mat is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.