Global Awakenings
499 King St. Downtown.
(843) 577-8579
www.globalawakeningmarket.com
Fair Trade is the new organic. When you learn about the pesticides, sterile soil, and genetic modifications behind “conventional” agriculture, it’s a no-brainer for many to eat organic food as often as possible. But what about everything else we buy? We all know that our Nikes, iPods, and pretty much anything from Mega-lo-Mart were built by impoverished third-world factory workers, but what’s a working American to do? We need our microwaves, undershirts, and HD TVs. Enter Fair Trade — a global collaboration that acts as a mediator between artisans and those wishing to sell their goods in richer nations, assuring that the manufacturers and artists themselves receive a just portion of the profits made from their wares. Global Awakenings opened on King Street this year, a store dedicated to sharing the handiwork of Fair Trade-certified artisans from around the world. While you won’t find electronics and kitchen appliances, it’s a solid one-stop-shop for every birthday, holiday, and gift-giving occasion you can imagine. And it’s not expensive at all — just fair.
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