Support Ten Thousand Villages Queen Street
Sign Now
Ten Thousand Villages Queen Street is closing on April 27th. The decision has been made quickly and without any warning or possibilities to discuss.
The store located on 709 Queen Street W. in Toronto has been a link in the local community and between different parts of the world: artisans, visitors and customers. The team members, and especially the managers Laura and Kate, have been working very hard so that everyone feels welcome and energized.
More than just contesting the store closing, the letter aims to express the deep disappointment from the TTV Queen Street volunteers.
Let’s make our voice heard! Join us and sign the petition.
----
Attn:
Ryan Jacobs,
Commercial Manager
Ten Thousand Villages Canada
65B Heritage Drive
New Hamburg, ON N3A 2J3
ryan.jacobs@villages.ca
Monday, April 22, 2013
Dear Mr. Jacobs,
On Tuesday, March 19th, we learned of the closing of the Ten Thousand Villages store located at 709 Queen Street West, in Toronto, Ontario.
We are writing to express our deep disappointment, and inability to fully understand this decision. Queen Street West is a growing area for alternative and sustainable shopping. The store itself is a haven of peace and community where people meet, discuss and learn more about what’s happening on the other side of the world. Through this store, people can participate in positively impacting the lives of those in our global community who are unable to access the same opportunities that we have.
Laura Catalano and Kate Sweet-Underhill have successfully managed the store for 5 years, building around them a strong team of dedicated staff and volunteers who, alongside them, have given countless hours and offered seemingly limitless resources creating a welcoming and energizing environment for customers. Our store is a real link in Queen West community.
Of course we understand the economic difficulties and product rearrangement that make the actual location of the store no longer relevant. We share the same goal: to provide all the support we can to our artisans. We want to continue spread awareness about how fair trade can change the world.
Queen Street West is full of smaller available spaces where the store could be relocated.
Why risk losing visibility of the TTV name within this community? Why risk the loss of regular customers and dedicated staff by closing? Customers have expressed dismay at the loss of this location. While a few may travel to the other TTV stores in Toronto, many have expressed the importance of shopping locally, conveniently, and within their unique community. Therefore, we feel the store should be re-opened, and that this should happen soon.
Ten Thousand Villages Queen Street has a strong team of volunteers and friends who can help make this happen: finding a new location, contacting property owners and introducing them to the TTV board team, cleaning the space, painting and decoration, reintroducing product, and organizing the opening. We look forward to the opportunity to do so.
We ask you to please take action in that direction. Revise your decision to close the Queen Street store, and support the team in making a move to a smaller location.
Rest assured of our passion and dedication.
Regards,
Staff, Volunteers, Customers and Friends of Ten Thousand Villages Queen Street.
Continue with Google
If you already have an account please sign in, otherwise register an account for free then sign the petition filling the fields below.
Email and password will be your account data, you will be able to sign other petitions after logging in.
