By Becca Opp
Photography by Hillary Ehlen
Artisanal home goods, cruelty-free beauty products
Cheerful Giving
Others is currently the only fair trade store in North Dakota, and to the best of their knowledge, they are the only fair trade shop in the world that donates 100 percent of their profit. When we say “fair trade shop,” we mean that the products they carry were made by businesses who help makers in developing countries by advocating for better pay, as well as improved social and environmental standards.
Others was founded in 2015 and in 2018 moved to a new location at 218 Broadway. Back when Others was still a pop-up, Morris could never have imagined what a positive response the shop would get from the community today.
Morris said, “The concept for Others came about because there are so many social enterprises in the world that are doing good. We felt that our shop could do the same right here in Fargo by bringing in brands that do good—locally and abroad—for people in need.”
“We curate new collections every season from companies that bring people out of poverty, provide access to healthcare, support education for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access and create jobs for artisans,” Peltier explained.
Others supports those brands and their causes when stocking their inventory. When you shop with Others, not only are you supporting those brands and their giving, but you are also supporting local organizations, because all of the profit that Others makes, they donate to a charitable cause.
So far, they have built a well in Mali, funded an education program in Haiti for 185 kids and partnered with The Adventure Project. They also work with local nonprofits like Down Home, which transforms empty spaces into comfortable homes for families transitioning from homelessness into housing.
Ethical Home
Since relocating to Broadway, Others is now in a position to bring in more brands than ever before and rotate through styles more quickly. This season, their home section is filled with color, texture and spring fever. From wooden utensils to handmade pottery, what sets these home goods apart from the rest (aside from their quality), is that on the back of almost every tag you will see a signature from the maker.
Many of us would like to have a more ethical household but are not sure where to start. You can follow these three steps to bring sustainability into your wardrobe and home:
- Invest in high-quality goods
- Support fair trade shops
- Buy from local artisans
It is preferable to invest in high-quality goods because they tend to last longer and make less waste. Supporting fair trade shops is another easy way to do good with your purchasing power. “There’s always more to know about conscious consumerism. We really try to be our community leaders on this,” Peltier shared. Finally, you can buy from local artisans. Not only does this help them do what they love, but it also allows you to form lasting relationships within your community.
Growing Impact
In February 2019, Morris and Peltier attended The Heart Series conference in Los Angeles, which is a big event in the fair trade industry. “It was a great way to get together and talk with other businesses who are doing good. I think that is really impactful and meaningful for our long-term growth,” Morris explained when describing this opportunity. The next leap for Others will be e-commerce, which they hope to launch in 2019.
Find Others at:
Others
218 Broadway N, Fargo
701-478-8722
Othersshop.com
facebook.com/othersshop
instagram.com/othersshop
