Downtown Buzz
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What’s ahead? #LOvefxbg By ann glave
latitudes fair trade store By M.L.Powers One of the newest additions to Caroline St is Latitudes - fair trade store. The owners Terry and Lee Owsley became involved with the fair trade movement a few years back when Lee who was an ESL (English as a second language) teacher was offered a training program in Guatemala to study Spanish. She connected with some local women who specialized in Mayan weaving. They asked whether Lee thought she could sell any of their crafts in the United States. She decided to try to market their merchandise at craft fairs, and things quickly began to fall in place. The Fredericksburg shop is their second venture, the first store in Warrenton opened in 2010. All of the items in the stores are handmade, and many are created from recyclable products. Hanging on the wall is an amazing Tree of Life that was forged from the lid of an oil drum. Pop tops from soda cans and old seat belts are crafted into purses. Saris have been recycled into
exquisite scarves. There is jewelry that is made from the tagua nut, also known as vegetable ivory, a renewable product grown in the Amazon rainforest. Most of the batik items come from an organization in Ghana called Global Mamas which was founded by a Peace Corp volunteer in 2003. Now there are more than five hundred women involved in working with Global Mamas. Terry and I talked for a good bit about the fair trade movement. The main tenets of the Fair Trade Federation include supporting opportunity for all people, and building awareness of fair trade and its principles. This includes safeguarding the rights of women and children world wide. Fair trade also promotes responsible use of resources, reusing and recycling whenever possible. Additionally, the wholesalers that Latitudes buys from have been verified through different channels of the Fair Trade Federation. Once a year the Owsleys travel to
a different site, and build first hand the stories of resilience and perseverance that make this an important movement. This summer they plan to travel to Thistle Farms which is on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee. The farm is an enterprise that supports women who have survived human trafficking. They make natural bath and body products, and also have a paper and sewing workshop. Latitudes, as remembered from our geography lessons are the lines that run parallel to the Equator. A majority of the countries where these crafts originate are in close proximity to the Equator. A second definition has to do with freedom
of action. Using that definition, one can see how ultimately fair trade will give these people the latitude to build prosperous lives for themselves and their children. In talking with Terry Owsley, I could sense the passion that this couple has for their endeavors. They are a fantastic addition to the Caroline St. line up, and another great reason to shop locally. They are located at 806 Caroline St., and can be found on Facebook and at www.latitudesfairtrade.com. Mary Lynn Powers reports monthly the latest on interesting people, places and businesses in the FXBG area
The holiday season demonstrated that Downtown (i.e., business owners, property owners, residents, and city departments and officials), can pull together for a bigger cause – a vibrant Downtown. This is a perfect illustration of Aristotle’s adage “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” Collaborations. Strategic Alliances. They are all “relationships.” February is the month known for Valentine’s Day and a nod to relationships seems fitting. The anticipation. Is this the right one? Do we desire the same thing? Relationships are quite necessary for Downtown to work. Relationship to Downtown- Main Street is moving forward with the branding and image campaign for the Downtown and Fredericksburg VA Main Street Inc. The “Request for Proposal” is completed with proposals due by mid-
March. The branding campaign will be asking questions such as; Who are we as a community? What is our image? Does this fit in with the vision statement crafted in early 2014 with the help of the community? Can we find a branding company that can tie together all of the pieces that make Downtown Fredericksburg unique? Relationship to the City- Main Street began with the City and the Economic Development Authority’s interest in Downtown. A big heartfelt “thank you!” to the City Council, the mayor, and the city manager for their foresight and support. From the Departments of Public Works, Planning and Building, Parks and Recreation, Police, and Economic Development and Tourism, all played an important part in the success of the holiday season and the continued
growth of Main Street and the future of Downtown. Recent conversations with restaurants about potential outdoor guidelines and with other businesses about upcoming work on William Street are examples of working together beyond the holiday season. We would like to give kudos to the City Council for its unanimous vote on establishing goals of which three address the future of Downtown. Goal No. 1 focuses on Historic Character & Vitality with the primary initiative being how to “repurpose” the Renwick Building. Goal No. 2 focuses on Economic Vitality with one of its initiatives being the acquisition of land for a second Downtown Parking Garage. And Goal No. 3 focuses on Parks, Recreation, and Open Space with an initiative of preparing for the construction of Riverfront Park beginning in Fiscal Year 2018. All of these are in line with Main Street’s vision! Well done! Tell us what you love about Downtown. Tell us on our Fredericksburg Downtown Facebook page. #Lovefxbg. Take a picture of your favorite places, businesses, and people and use the hashtag to share your love of this unique
downtown experience. Tweet and Instagram and tell everyone! And the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day is the Experience Fredericksburg Downtown Gift Card. Go online and order our limited edition Valentine’s Day Downtown Gift card today at www.fredericksburgmainstreet.org. Welcome the newest addition, Cork and Table, a wine bar and café, at 909 Caroline Street! Happy Anniversary to Caroline House for 5 years. New relationships are always scary, rarely perfect, and full of opportunity. Let’s continue to move ahead. We all want the same thing - a vibrant Downtown! How exciting on many levels!
Ann Glave, Executive Director, of the Fredericksburg Main Street, is proud of Downtown this Holiday season. To stay up to date on Main Street, visit Fredericksburg Downtown Facebook and www.fredericksburgmainstreet.org . Sign up for the newsletter!
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