Fair Trade Preps for Port Grand Opening

Gail Bennett-Christian said she and her husband, Allen Christian, owners of Fair Trade for All, had a mission in mind in opening up the business' second location: "to advocate for people in other countries who can’t advocate for themselves."

Fair Trade for All sells gifts, clothing and treats that provide the producer with a fair, living wage and a safe work environment, Bennett-Christian explained. This allows the artisans to meet basic needs like food, education and medical aid, and also helps decrease child labor, human trafficking and illegal immigration. 

The newly opened shop, 101 E. Grand Ave. No. 14, features gifts from more than 40 different countries, as well as local fair trade items.

Sara Grover, executive director for Port Washington Main Street, was excited for the shop to open because of the wide array of items it sells, from home decor to clothing to jewelry.  

“It’s a very eclectic store,” she said.

Bennett-Christian happily shows first-time customers the varied products, including handmade jewelry from Central and South America that not only are fair trade items, but also make use of recycled materials.

She featured some of her favorite items as well, such as original statuettes from Africa and hand-painted figurines from Indonesia.

Bennett-Christian’s mother opened southeastern Wisconsin’s first fair trade shop in the 1980s, inspiring the couple to become passionate about the cause as well. Bennett-Christian and her husband opened up their first shop five years ago in Wauwatosa, but have been involved in advocacy and the fair trade movement for some time.

 "My husband jumped right on board," Bennett-Christian said.  "He wanted to help and this gave him a good connection."

His enthusiasm carried to the opening of the second shop, which Bennett-Christian said happened very quickly — the couple just signed their lease three weeks ago, and the store is already open.

The store will have a grand opening 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. Bennett-Christian and her husband will be offering tours of the store and samples of fair trade coffee and chocolate.