SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane’s Festival of Fair Trade brought a lively crowd downtown this weekend, filling the lobby at Kizuri with hand-made gifts from more than 40 countries. Shoppers turned out to support local businesses and fair-trade artisans, even as rising prices continue to strain holiday budgets.
Kizuri owner Jillian Joseph said this time of year is critical for her store and many other small shops.
“Just like Santa and his elves, we’ve got to wait all year for December, because that’s when we do the bulk of our business, as a lot of smaller shops do. But we are so thrilled to have it be busy and full of energy,” Joseph said.
Shoppers at the festival acknowledged the impact of higher prices but said they still want their money to make a difference.
“Oh, absolutely. I think that everybody right now is being hit with higher prices. We’re seeing it at the grocery store, we’re seeing it whenever we go shopping anywhere. Prices are through the roof, and that’s really hard,” said shopper Erin Lipsker.
Lipsker said knowing her purchase supports local and global artisans makes it worthwhile.
“But if I know that I’m putting that money towards something that supports local, I’m willing to do that. And I’m willing to do it if I know that it’s fair trade and supporting women in Nepal, and I know that I’m supporting other artisans from around the world, then it feels worth it,” she said.
For some vendors, the festival’s impact extends across continents. Oscar Haupt imports art and hand-made scarves from families he works with in Chile, and each purchase directly supports those artisans.
“And I feel that it’s the most important thing, is that we get to know these people, the people that they are. I know their names, I have been at their homes, and I have spent time with them, with their family, with their kids. And that makes a big difference,” Haupt said.
Joseph said tariffs have added new uncertainty for fair-trade retailers this year, and the holiday season will determine how the store moves forward.
“This is really kind of a make-or-break time of year for us and for most small businesses. November and December will dictate how we are going into the next year, and how long we’re able to stay here and be here for the community,” she said.
Joseph said many shoppers told her they plan to return in December — each visit helping sustain the fair-trade market and the artisans it supports worldwide.
