About Ten Thousand Villages in Redondo Beach, CA

Ten Thousand Villages in Redondo Beach, California is a fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 35 countries, we are part of a network of over 390 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products.

As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items. We seek to establish long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed, and in which they lack other opportunities for income. A founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Ten Thousand Villages sees fair trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade.

The story of Ten Thousand Villages in Redondo Beach is one of new growth. We began in June 2014. We believe in the mission of Ten Thousand Villages and want to spread knowledge to those around us. We want individuals in the country to know about the translation of vital fair income for hundreds of disadvantaged artisans around the world.

Come in today and explore our world of fabulous fair trade treasures. New items arrive every week. In addition to unique home decor, jewelry and personal accessories, we also carry musical instruments, handcraft greeting cards, soaps, fair trade coffee, chocolate, and MUCH MORE. Our knowledgeable volunteers will gladly help you choose a perfect gift for everyone on your list - and a treat for yourself. You will enjoy a unique shopping experience, which in turn will help an artisan family earn a living. What a happy combination!

Stay connected by following us on Facebook or visit the events page often. To learn more about local fair trade, go to www.fairtradela.org

Meet our Staff:

Brittany Costa, Interim Store Manager

Brittany became our assistant manager in March 2015 after recruiting her from my previous employer. She comes with a lot of experience in the traditional retail and her passion for fair trade is amazing. She moved to Southern California five years ago from Virginia. Hand-crafting is a skill that she loves to do in her leisure time.   She is also has a beautiful singing voice and does a little acting (After all, we are in LA). Email Brittany at redondobeach@tenthousandvillages.com if you'd like to learn more about our volunteer program.

Join Our Village of Volunteers!

Ten Thousand Village’s Mission is to provide vital, fair wage income for people in the developing world by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories. The dedication of our volunteers is key to our success in offering excellent customer service and in creating economic opportunities for artisans worldwide. Our volunteers help make the connection between these artisans and our shoppers. In order to keep costs to our customers down, we utilize the services of about 60 volunteers monthly.

Volunteer Opportunities at Ten Thousand Villages in Redondo Beach:

• Sales Associate
• Community Outreach Volunteer (education) – Share information about Ten Thousand Villages with community groups

If you'd like to join this fun group of people, email Store Manager for more information, or stop by the store for an application.

Store Address: 1907 S. Catalina Ave. Redondo Beach, Ca. 90277

Store Number: 310-465-1600

Lynn is one of the four founding board members and is our Visual Merchandiser. Her love and passion shows throughout our store presentations. Her previous life was a Court Reporter and one of her famous criminal cases was the Mendez Brothers. Her favorite Ten Thousand Village items are any recycled Sari Collection (ie. Slouchy Sari Bag SKU 6613090).

Karen is our Volunteer Newsletter editor! She started a few months after we opened in July 2014 and has been a huge asset to our staff team. She has become one of our Super Volunteers that help open and close the store when we need her to. She has retired recently in the field of Marketing and is a huge supporter of our Blue Zone Project for beach cities. Blue Zone Project is a non-profit organization that educates about healthy eating habits, exercising, recycle and many more environmentally related topics.

Bernie is one of our most dedicated volunteers. She works every Saturday and Sunday, and more if we need her. Bernie received an award in December from the Board of Directors for being the first to work over 100 shifts. She retired from Mattel in 2008. One of Bernie's favorite things in the store is our blue and white mugs from Vietnam. We love you, Bernie!

Michelle is a senior in high school and works every Friday afternoon.  She is one of our most enthusiastic and friendly volunteers, always willing to "go the extra mile."  Michelle's favorite thing in the store is our blue Phoenician glass.  We will miss her when she goes off to college next year.

Robin is one of our volunteer staff members.  She opens and closes the store a couple of times a week.  She is always willing to fill in wherever needed, and we call on her often.  Robin shows everyone that comes in the store our salt rock shot glasses, which is her favorite product.  She has been retired from The Boeing Company since 2014.