518 Fair Trade Artisans

05/30/2025

Our story is not ending here. This is just a detour while we regroup. Fixtures can be replaced. The heart of our story continues. Please stay tuned while we build a stronger foundation!

05/29/2025

Due to not being able to sign our new lease for insufficient funding, we will be holding a liquidation sale where we were hoping to open :
700 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY

Thursday 5/29 to 7 pm
Friday 5/30 8:30 am-5:30 pm
Saturday 5/31 7 am to 7 pm
Most everything will be reasonable offer accepted with the exception of the two farm tables and the India cabinet . Everything is for sale.
You may call or text for availability 518-596-7101
Much more available than shown in photos. More photos will be posted on marketplace and coming soon. Cash or Venmo.

05/29/2025

It is with a heavy heart that I make the announcement for 518 Fair Trade Artisans, Inc. and Ten Thousand Villages Albany.

Update on the Future of Fair Trade in Albany

Dear Friends and Supporters,
Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in the vision of keeping fair trade in Albany. As you know, a group of us has been exploring the possibility of opening a new fair trade store in the wake of Ten Thousand Villages' closure—a space that would continue to serve the community while supporting artisans around the world.
While the desire and commitment are strong, we’ve come to a difficult crossroads. At this time, due to insufficient funding, we are unable to move forward with opening a new store at this time. As a result, we will begin liquidating the remaining inventory currently in storage. Any proceeds from this effort will go directly toward covering outstanding expenses related to storage and the winding down of operations.
This is not the outcome we had hoped for. However, we remain encouraged by the enthusiasm this idea has sparked, and we hold onto the hope that—with renewed support and adequate funding—we will one day be able to revive this vision and bring a new fair trade store to life in Albany.
Thank you again for standing with us, for sharing in this dream, and for continuing to believe in the power of ethical commerce to create a better world.

With gratitude,

Linda Viertel and Board Members�518 Fair Trade Artisans, Inc.

05/10/2025

Happy World Fair Trade Day!! 🌎🌍🌏

05/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12H4ePRnt1n/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/25/2025

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2025/04/04/tore-manager-continues-fair-trade-mission-after-closure?cid=app_share

A popular fair trade company is closing all of its brick-and-mortar stores. But one Ten Thousand Villages manager isn't letting go so easily.

04/22/2025

Happy Earth Day! ❤️🌎🌳

04/12/2025

https://gofund.me/1e91d57a

Hello! We are raising startup funds to help continue our miss… Linda Viertel needs your support for Help Ten Thousand Villages Albany Open New Contract Store