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Ten Thousand Villages
Category: Shopping Home & Garden Home Decor Home Decor [Edit]
1204 Commercial DrVancouver, BC V5L 3X4
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
(604) 323-9233
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
7 reviews for Ten Thousand Villages
7 reviews in English
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Review from Ryland A.
10/21/2010
This fair trade international imports store is the perfect place to head after you have just done some international travel. It is full of the kind of things I always look for when traveling but rarely find (or don't particularly want to carry).
Prices at this shop were quite reasonable. My momma bought a very cool trivet made of rolled newspaper from the Philippines for only $8. They were very smart to have a whole file of little explanation slips to stick in the package when you give your gift to someone. On top of the soothing world music playing and very helpful clerks, they even had free coffee.
Instead of worrying about tracking down and lugging around souvenirs, just come here after your trip and get them all in one easy place.
STOP 3 on our Culinary (yeah, I know, but they had coffee) Day Out in Vancouver
Full story here: http://enderzero.net/w... -
Review from Roanna Z.
12/18/2009
The Global Exchange of the North, Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization. Which means they give back to the artisans and communities that they buy from and they pay up front for the product.
What you find at the stores are handcrafted merchandise from all over the world. Something for everyone. Plus Coffee and Chocolate too!
One great thing to do is to get a bunch of smaller gifts and pack them into or onto a larger one or buy hand made ornaments and string them onto the handle of the gift bag.
The customer service is always friendly and helpful and the stores have different things all the time.
Everyone loves this place, what's not to love?! -
Review from Ameia A.
Lone Butte, BC
9/27/2011
Sorry I don't believe the prices are high because the villagers are being paid a fair price. It's kinda obvious the stores are using 'fair-trade' as a hook. It's the store owners who are making the big profit here.
I have some first hand experience with this (though NOT with this company) and I'm not fooled.
I have no problem with a company setting up shop and setting their own prices, but I'm disgusted by the false premise of it. -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
9/23/2008
Everything about Ten Thousand Villages screams fair trade and I love it! I feel like everytime i buy something from here - big or small - I am making a difference and contributing to greater problems. It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling that is oh-so-void in our consumerized times!
They have a great selection of ethical teas (my favorite one is Green Darjeeling), and they have really cool one of a kind pieces with regards to pottery and homemade goods. -
Review from Tara T.
BC
11/29/2008
Located on Commercial Drive, Ten Thousand Villages is a treasure trove of sparkling trinkets, sweet smelling soaps, organically inspired wooden lamps, handmade jewellery, and oriental blends of incense. You could spend hours in here searching between the large and tiny pieces, looking for gifts for friends or accessories to make your house a home. And what's even better is that Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade store. You can purchase here in good faith that your money will be supporting cottage villages and underprivileged communities.
One of the best things about this store is that you know you'll be buying something that is unique and culturally rich. I can't stand purchasing "cookie cutter" goods to decorate my place from box stores such as Ikea or Pottery Barn.
Do a good deed and buy your gifts here, or purchase some brightly coloured decorations as accents for your home. If you're like me, you'll love Ten Thousand Villages. -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
11/4/2008
If you want to feel good about how you spend your dollars, bring them to Ten Thousand Villages. Fair trade is the principle behind this store. A lot of their goods are also eco friendly. They've got all kinds of home decor items, holiday items, books, stationary, jewelery, games, and toys. I especially love the children's books that introduce kids to stories from around the world. If the fair trade message speaks to you, you may be interested in volunteering at the store.
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Review from Megan S.
11/19/2008
This store is amazing, and has such a good concept behind it. They carry incredibly unique stuff from around the globe. Unlike Pier One, these weren't designed by someone in New York, these come straight from global craftsmen. The inventory here is always changing, making it a perfect place to buy gifts. When I went in yesterday, there was a new assortment of Christmas ornaments. One the price tag it tells you where the item was made. Usually such places as: Indonesia, Guatemala, Namibia, and Kenya. In particular, I think the jewelry and bags are always great items.
