The Best Fair Trade Stores In Chicago

Chicago is home to the largest fair trade coalition in the United States. As such, the city is filled with stores and restaurants that sell products to support artisans all over the world. The stores listed below provide an outlet for shoppers to buy unique gifts and also give back to the artisans who created them.

1. Ten Thousand Villages

Park, Shop, Store

Ten Thousand Villages

Among the many boutiques found along Armitage Avenue in Lincoln Park lies Ten Thousand Villages. The shop is a great place to find handmade gifts for friends and family. Throughout the store, you will find a vast collection of jewelry, handbags, and accessories, all at a reasonable price. Included in each purchase is a small card detailing who made your gift and how it was made.
Ten Thousand Villages, 840 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 327 6453

Storefront of GreenSky | © Benita Gingerella

2. GreenSky

Shop

GreenSky

Started in 2006, GreenSky is Andersonville’s first eco-friendly shop. The shop is known for its colorful and quirky eco-friendly items that are produced by local artisans. Looking for furniture made from recycled milk jugs? Or how about some razors made from yogurt cups? GreenSky has got you covered.
Greensky, 5357 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 275-1911

Inside of Greenheart | © Benita Gingerella

3. Greenheart Shop

Shop

Located in Old Town, Greenheart offers a wide range of clothing, home décor, kitchen items, toys, jewelry, and gifts. Its products are eco-friendly and support artisans all over the world, including locals. The shop is part of the Greenheart International Organization, which works to promote environmentalism, cultural exchange, and the end global poverty through volunteer programs. Greenheart is also a member of the Chicago Fair Trade and the Fair Trade Federation.

4. Mata Traders

Shop

Mata Traders

Unlike many of the other fair trade stores in the city, Mata Traders focuses on fashion, offering handmade jewelry, clothing and bags by artisans in India. Mata works closely with the women it employs and provides them with educational opportunities and workshops. The shop is located on Clark Street in the Andersonville Galleria.
Mata Traders, 5247 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, USA, +1 773 878 8570

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.