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Article: Act Local. Think Global.

Act Local. Think Global.

Act Local. Think Global.

Hello again everyone,

First of all, I just wanted to say thank you for all of your support! I love reading your comments and learning from each other about sustainability...keep them coming :)

Now that we have explored the topics of fair trade and slow fashion, I wanted to share with you my Top 5 favourite places to "act locally and think globally" in Hamilton.

I first heard this term in the early days of learning about fair trade. People would say to me that they loved the concept of fair trade but wanted to support local entrepreneurs instead of artisans abroad. But what if you can do both? Below are my favourite places to shop in Hamilton where you can help people and the planet with your purchases!

 

  • 1. Ten Thousand Villages (www.tenthousandvillages.ca & 162 Locke St S)
  • Most people know that Ten Thousand Villages started the fair trade movement. In 1946, Edna Ruth Byler brought items back with her from her trip to Puerto Rico. She began to sell the items out of her car to friends and family. The Mennonite Central Committee saw the importance of her work and started to fund her travels abroad to buy products.

    Now, Ten Thousand Villages has stores in the US and Canada including one here in Hamilton. I was the Assistant Manager at this location for a year and a half. My favourite products there include the Ethiopian coffee and beautiful textiles. I also had the pleasure of meeting artisans from Peru when I went there in October. Definitely stop in this shop next time you are on Locke Street!


  • 2. The Pale Blue Dot (thepalebluedotshop.com & 240 James St N)
  • This summer I kept hearing about a store called The Pale Blue Dot. Friends kept telling me to check it out because they knew I would love it and they were right! This store is your one-stop-shop for sustainability in Hamilton. Mary does a wonderful job of curating products to help reduce waste in consumers’ every day lives.

    Some of my favourite products bought here include my reusable straw, glass spray bottle, and bamboo utensils. I can’t wait to go back to browse their make-up products, soaps, and clothing! Check out the basement while you are there too for some beautiful vintage items!


  • 3. Dundurn Market (www.dundurnmarket.ca & 346 Dundurn St S)
  • I recently started working here and just love it! They do a great job of featuring local and organic produce, bulk items, prepared meals, and baked treats. They also carry some great local, fair trade brands such as Camino, Coffeecology, Terra Teas, and Chocosol.  

    This is your one-stop-shop if you want to get a coffee, listen to some good music, do your grocery shopping, and help the planet at the same time. Need a last minute hostess gift? Dundurn Market has put together gift baskets and flower arrangements for you! And if you can’t make it out, they deliver around Hamilton, Dundas, and Ancaster through Bikeables. It doesn’t get better!


  • 4. Just One (www.iamjustone.ca)
  • I first met Krista, the founder of Just One, at the Buy Good Feel Good Expo two years ago. She is such an amazing person and I love the name of her company. It reminds us that just one person can make a great impact on the world!

    Just One works with Ugandan and Kenyan artisans to create amazing jewellery. What I love about her brand is the simplicity of the pieces. You can wear them with just about anything and dress them up or down. The artisans also use lots of recycled materials such as cow horn and magazines which would otherwise go to waste. I used to live in Uganda so these pieces are close to my heart! Check out her website or buy her pieces right beside our store on James Street at Vintage Charm.


  • 5. Metta Made (www.mettamadeinhamilton.ca)
  • I recently heard about Metta Made through Robin, my yoga teacher at De La Sol. I love how small Hamilton is and how we all connect to each other in some way! Metta Made is a new clothing business that uses ethical and eco-friendly fabrics.

    What I love about their pieces is how versatile they are. They promote having a “capsule” wardrobe which you can learn more about on their website.  Their products are also made to order to provide a meaningful approach to supply and demand. Lastly, Metta Made donates a portion of their proceeds to Body Brave, a great not-for-profit also located in Hamilton.

     

    That’s it for today. Always remember to vote with your wallet! And don’t forget to stop into sariKNOTsari to see all the amazing brands we carry that support both local and global causes :)

    Where are your favourite places to shop in Hamilton? Let me know in the comments below!

    Until next week,

    Melanie