About Us

Ten Thousand Villages Cobourg is one of seven legacy stores that remain after the closure of Ten Thousand Villages Canada in 2020. As the last Ten Thousand Villages store in Eastern Canada, we are continuing the mission of fair trade and keeping the work of Villages Canada alive in our corner of the country.

The Ten Thousand Villages Mission

To create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term, fair trading relationships.

Our Enhanced Mission as an Independent Store

In alignment with the mission statement of the former Ten Thousand Villages Canada, our mission builds on their legacy to include our local focus:

Ten Thousand Villages Cobourg is committed to keeping alive the tradition and vision of Ten Thousand Villages Canada through the practices of fair trade that empowers artisans, their families and communities in developing countries; through environmental sustainability that supports the Earth; through consciousness raising that connects local and global communities; and through initiatives that encourage youth of Northumberland in their commitment to social justice.

Our History

The Cobourg store operates under the oversight of The Northumberland Fair is Fair Trade Group, a registered not-for-profit that formed in 2008 with the goal of opening a Ten Thousand Villages store in Northumberland County. The store became a reality in 2009 and the organization seeks to undertake local philanthropic endeavours in addition to working globally through fair trade to support artisans in developing countries.

The Northumberland Fair is Fair Trade Group began as a dream between three like-minded friends who found common agreement in the fair trade philosophy and entered into the process to put together a Board of Directors and a business plan to present to Ten Thousand Villages Canada. With the blessing of Villages Canada, the store opened in August 2009 and has been a successful and growing store ever since.