Think Local, Help Global
Celebrating 25 Years in Evanston!
The story of Ten Thousand Villages Evanston began in May 1997 with 1400 square feet and two managers. As our fair trade supporters grew, we doubled our retail space in 2002.
After 23 years on Main street, we moved into a large space on Chicago Avenue. We've continued to grow by building our own e-commerce site and opening a satellite booth in Andersonville Galleria. Since 1997, our sales of Fair Trade goods have tripled, making us one of the largest Ten Thousand Villages stores in the country translating into vital fair income for hundreds of disadvantaged artisans around the world.
Explore our world of fabulous fair trade treasures. Enjoy a unique shopping experience in our Evanston store. Your purchases will help an artisan family earn a living. What a happy combination!
Because every handcrafted object has a life of meaning behind it
Ten Thousand Villages is more than a store. We're a global maker‑to‑market movement that breaks the cycle of generational poverty and ignites social change. We're a way for you to shop with intention for ethically-sourced wares — and to share in the joy of empowering makers in ten thousand villages.
As a pioneer of fair trade, we do business differently, putting people and planet first. That means you can trust that every handmade purchase and donation you make directly impact the life and community of its maker in a developing country.
Does it matter where I buy my gifts?
Absolutely. The global market has become a very competitive place and that has put enormous pressure on craftspeople all over the world to make their products cheaper and faster. Choosing to purchase fair trade is a way of saying that it’s important to you that the person who made your product is not exploited. By your action, you are investing in the dignity of others.
Ten Thousand Villages is committed to creating opportunities for artisans in developing countries to lift themselves from poverty, work consistently, and earn income at a fair wage by bringing their handmade crafts and their stories to you.
Together, we break the cycle of poverty and impact the lives of 20,000 makers in 30 developing countries.
Meet the Evanston Management Team!
Hannah, Cheryl, and Michaela (left to right) took over as the Evanston Management Team in Feb 2022. They are assisted in continuing the store's fair trade mission by a dedicated Board of Directors and a fantastic team of over 40 volunteers!
~ Cheryl ~
Co-Manager - Business/Finance Lead
Cheryl Nester-Detweiler has been a key member of our Evanston store management for 20 years.
She directs all of our back-office responsibilities and is an integral part of our purchasing of Fair Trade products. Cheryl also develops and manages our Community Shopping Events.
Cheryl is a very busy mom of two awesome daughters and is an avid March Madness basketball fan.
~ Hannah ~
Co-Manager - Offsites & Volunteers Lead
Hannah Wymer has been directing volunteer recruitment and training, as well as managing our huge Summer Festival and Holiday Off-site schedule since spring 2021.
Her previous Fair Trade experience includes running a Fair Trade store at her church in Highland Park, NJ.
When not in the store, Hannah can be found scouting out new yarn stores and spending time in nature with her family.
~ Michaela ~
Co-Manager - Marketing & E-Comm Lead
Michaela Dix joined the Evanston team while developing the store’s website in 2020. She now steps into a full role of Marketing and E-Commerce Team Lead.
Her previous experience includes Associate Manager at Ten Thousand Villages Oak Park, where she wore many hats for most of a decade.
Her rescued lab mix, Luna, makes sure she gets away from the computer from time to time for long walks and belly rubs.
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