Over two decades ago, Nancy Long envisioned a local retail gift store that would exclusively offer products that were produced by underdeveloped nations where workers, many of them modern-day slaves, were denied fair wages and living standards.
Her vision led her to establish Global Village, a fair trade retail shop located at 1308 Seiberling Avenue in Peoria Heights, where Long committed herself to calling attention to creating a better world through fair trade principles that promote economic and social justice.
This Friday, Long will lock the doors of Global Village for the last time before entering into retirement. Though another business owner will take her place (Long declined to name the new owner), there will be a month-long transition between the store’s closing and the new owner’s transition.
In an interview with WCBU, Long said the concept of Global Village was born out of her desire to call attention to social and economic injustices in the U.S. and abroad, while providing a venue for arts and crafts made in fair trade countries.
“I’d seen a few similar stores while on vacation with my daughters, and it made us realize the diversity you could have from all over the world just in one shop that could be in any little city,” said Long, who began recruiting like-minded stakeholders from her basement office over 21 years ago. “I came back and started talking to people, and many of them were willing to throw in $10 or so, but that wouldn’t get us there very fast. So, we started having garage sales that summer, which built up the treasury a little that year.”
Long’s humble concept eventually grew into a volunteer-led neighborhood business institution that created opportunities for disadvantaged producers, adhered to fair trading practices and wages, ensured no child or forced labor, and was committed to gender non-discrimination or association, proper working conditions and respect for the environment.
Asked what she would like people to remember about her efforts, Long replied “that I kept on trying. That’s what it took. (Global Village) wasn’t an immediate success, but we built up our clientele. People used word of mouth, and people who heard about that came and checked it out. Usually they bought something, most usually a birthday or Christmas present that they could use in their everyday lives.”
Global Village is currently offering 75% off select products through Friday, June 30. For more information, visit their website.
