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First Friday, December 1 Join us for the annual First Friday Window Vignette. At Crossroads, you will find our Wise Women Shop Fair Trade display. Community women will showcase their favorite Fair Trade items in our store windows. We will be open until 8 PM on First Friday. Saturday, December 2 & Sunday, December 3 Continue your holiday celebration and shopping the remainder of the weekend while enjoying 15% off all holiday merchandise. From ornaments to nativities to that perfect gift for the person on your list, shop Fair Trade!

Read more about this month's sales, events!

Fair Trade Month is an annual event held in October to raise awareness about fair trade practices and products. It aims to promote fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices for farmers and workers in developing countries. The goal of the month is to educate consumers about the importance of supporting fair trade products and the positive impact it has on communities around the world. Fair trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It aims to provide better trading conditions and promote sustainability by ensuring that producers in developing countries receive fair prices for their products, have safe working conditions, and are empowered to improve their communities. Crossroads Fair Trade Goods and Gifts is grateful for 36 years as a fair trade retailer ! Learn more about the Principles of Fair Trade .

March 8th is International Women's Day and as a woman-led non-profit business, we take an extra special moment to reflect and celebrate why we're here. "When women thrive, all of society benefits and succeeding generations are given a better start in life." -- Kofi Annan Our Founders! Founded by women and nurtured by women for 35 years, we are forever grateful to our founders Charline Watts, Marilyn Townley and Carol Schrantz (pictured right to left) who started Crossroads in 1988. Their passion for social justice, fairness, and living life fair is what makes Crossroads what it continues to be today. Watch: Why Fair Trade Matters with Charline Watts Our Volunteers! Crossroads is truly grateful for the wonderful, caring, and dedicated force of volunteers who have staffed our store for over 30 years making fair trade a reality in our community! We celebrate the compassion, time, talent, and global experiences they share with us to market products that help empower women and minorities, fight child labor and slavery, respect the hard work of artisans and farmers, and support conservation of the environment Our Community! There are over 50 women-led businesses in Bloomington alone and we're proud to be one of them. Our Vendors! Crossroads has empowered thousands of disadvantaged women through fair trade which supports gender equality and provides opportunities to earn a living. We are grateful for the chance to partner with vendors worldwide to provide quality products for our community. Here are a few of our vendors that are women-led and supported: Fair Anita - Ethical jewelry company investing in women's financial security. Soup of Success - Women's job and life skills empowerment program. Thistle Farms - Works to create healing and hope for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. Women's Bean Project - Nonprofit social enterprise that offers women the power to transform their lives through employment. Upavim - Supports the women of La Esperanza, Guatemala in their work for better opportunities for themselves and their community.

Warrior. Fearless. Passionate. Advocate. Trailblazer. Inspiration. Role Model. Powerhouse. Charline Watts, one of the co-founders of Crossroads, leaves behind a lasting legacy after 89 wonderful years on Earth. Charline passed on March 9 and the words above are just a few sentiments shared by friends and community leaders. As noted in her obituary, "Charline had a fierce passion for addressing the root causes of injustice in the world and she worked tirelessly to advance initiatives that addressed them." Not only was Charline part of the dynamic trio that brought the vision of Crossroads to life 35 years ago, Charline has founded a summer reading program, Meals on Wheels, a fair trade store in Ohio, and was involved in the Alternative Christmas movement focused on economic justice. Her work making a difference doesn't stop there. Read more about her life's accomplishments and impact in her obituary . Crossroads' team of volunteers and board members sends their heartfelt condolences to the family of Charline Watts. We are grateful for her vision and years of impact and advocacy for the fair trade movement. A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 PM on April 6 at Westminster Village. I’m so grateful and honored to have known this beautiful warrior for all that is good! Such a fearless, passionate, smart and caring woman who has made a difference in so many of our lives! My deepest condolences to all her family. - Donna Brouillet, Board Co-President Charline shares the vision behind Crossroads, bringing fair trade to Bloomington, IL since 1988.

Our team of volunteers recently celebrated 35 years of being a volunteer run nonprofit retail store. At this year's annual volunteer luncheon, we celebrated groups of volunteers based on the year they started volunteering. Please note, not all current volunteers are pictured but we appreciate them all the same! Margaret Rutter shares: I have been at Crossroads 30+ years, almost from the beginning. I was at First Presbyterian Church when Charline Watts presented the idea and asked for volunteers. Given my interest in social justice and other countries, Crossroads sounded like the perfect place to volunteer and I've never been sorry! Pictured for 1988 - 1989: Joyce Topping, Sally Bailey, Marilyn Townley, and Margaret Rutter Pictured for 2009 -2010: Joni Painter, Terry Smalls, and Ruby Jones. Pictured for 2012-2016: Bonnie Laub, Jean Wallace, Katie Pratt, Margaret Kutemeier, Karlene Bledsoe, Deanna Mosher, Willemina Esewein, Pat Fitzgerald, Gloria Kelley (who actually started in the 90s!) and Donna Brouillet Pictured for 2017 - 2019: Swati Khanna, Nancy Erickson, Penny Kellogg, Debbie Marotz, Margaret Hawkins and Jill Miller Pictured from 2020 and 2021:  Peggy Donaldson, Paula Morris, Sandy Hinthorn, Joann Hart, Laurel Huisman, Sophia Glass Pictured from 2022 and 2024: Jean Steichen and Aubrey Wagoner Bonnie started volunteering at Crossroads in 2016 at the suggestion or rather insistence of friend, Terry Small. She shares: I had been volunteering through RSVP at various locations and am very glad that Terry introduced me to Crossroads. I enjoy the flexible schedule as a volunteer and being able to trade shifts with someone else if needed. A highlight of volunteering is meeting people, making new friends and seeing the new items that arrive to store and buying them! Being a volunteer at Crossroads is a friendly atmosphere and I feel I'm helping people less fortunate than me. Swati Khanna shares: I started volunteering at Crossroads in the summer of 2017. I had moved to Bloomington the year before, and was looking for volunteer opportunities. Walking downtown one day, I decided to go into Crossroads and ask if they needed more volunteers, and I have been there ever since! I enjoy all aspects of it - working with different people each time, seeing the crowds come in on Saturdays, and giving out the mini chocolates to those who use their own bag for purchases.  Aubrey, a new volunteer shares: I've been volunteering at Crossroads since 2022. My teenage daughter was already volunteering at the time and convinced me to join. It was a great activity for us to do together and I've continued volunteering since she has gone off to college because I'm passionate about the fair trade mission and about supporting a local business in the downtown area. The volunteers are such a wonderful group of people and I'm proud to know I am helping to keep the dream alive that was started by four local women over 35 years ago.

Every October, we get to join in the international celebration of Fair Trade Month as well as the store's anniversary This month, we're elated to focus on the store's 36 year old success in downtown Bloomington. We invite our neighbors, friends, supporters and customers to join us on October 26 to celebrate the mission, passion and impact of fair trade. All of our fair trade friends are invited to take 20% off any item of your choice! Anniversary Celebration Day - October 26, 2024 10 am - 5 pm Learn More About Fair Trade Month Share your Story! We want to hear your favorite story of shopping at Crossroads! Do you have a favorite memory or product? Tell us why shopping fair trade is important to you! Your stories will help us celebrate the impact of our 36 years in business.

A lot of fair trade products are handcrafted using recycled items which makes them great gifts for honoring Earth Day! The next time you're in the store, we invite you to learn more about some of the products and how they are helping the Earth as well as the community they are made. Earth Day 2024 is April 22. Local Recycling Locations Terracycling DROP OFF LOCATIONS St. Luke Union Church (collection is in the garage in back – collection containers are labeled) 2101 E Washington St Bloomington, IL 61701 —–(corner of Regency Drive and Washington St – open 24 hrs./7 days a week) Questions: Amie Keeton (309) 242-8871 or joelamiekeeton@gmail.com ITEMS ACCEPTED ● GoGo SqueeZ: Accepts all brands squeezable snack plastic pouches and caps (such as Go Go squeeZ, Ella’s, Earth’s Best, etc.). Please leave the cap on to reduce smell and leaking. ● BIC Writing Instruments: All brands of empty writing instruments, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers, paint sets, and flexible packaging ● Brita® or PUR Brigade®: Accepts all brands of pitchers, individual filtration bottles, filters, foil filter packaging, and faucet filtration systems. ● Burt’s Bee Brigade: Accepts any Burt’s Bee products packaging (must be this brand only). ● Cigarette Waste: NO DROP OFF– PLEASE CALL Amie (309) 242-8871 FOR MORE INSTRUCTIONS. Accepts cold extinguished cigarettes, cigarette filters, loose tobacco pouches, outer plastic packaging, inner foil packaging, rolling paper and ash. ● Contact Lens Brigade: Accepts all brands of contact lenses, plus foil and blister packaging. ● Dental and Deodorant Brigade: Accepts all brands toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, floss containers, mouthwash bottles and caps, plastic deodorant containers and caps; also, plastic soap wrappers from multi-packs. Please note: This brigade does not accept aerosol deodorant cans which go in regular city recycling once they are empty. ● Entenmann’s Little Bites Pouches Brigade: Accepts only Entenmann’s brand Little Bites plastic pouches and clear Entenmann’s Minis packaging. ● Febreze Air Care Brigade: Accepts all brands of air freshener cartridges and plus, packaging and flexible film packaging, and trigger heads (plastic bottles/cans go in regular curbside recycling). ● Gerber® Free Recycling Program: Gerber baby food packaging and small and large hook Gerber baby clothing hangers (must be Gerber brand) ● Honest Kids Drink Pouch Brigade: Accepts any brand drink pouches. ● Late July® Snacks: Late July® Snacks packaging and chip bags (must be Late July brand) ● Solo Plastic Cup Brigade: Accepts ONLY #6 rigid plastic cups – empty, rinse and let dry before donating. No lids, no straws, no other #6 plastic items. ● Kroger Brand Packaging: Recycle flexible plastic packaging from Kroger® brands through this program. ● Gillette Razor Brigade: All brands of blades, razors, and plastic packaging. ● Garnier Skin & Hair Care Brigade: Garnier® skin care and hair care packaging. (Must be Garnier brand) ● ARM & HAMMER & OxiClean Free Recycling Program: ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda pouches,ARM & HAMMER Power Paks Laundry Detergent pouches, OXICLEAN Laundry Detergent Paks pouches, OXICLEAN 2in1 Stain Fighter Power Paks pouches, OXICLEAN White Revive Laundry Stain Remover Power Paks pouches (Must be these brands) ● Rubbermaid® Food Storage Free Recycling Program: Recycle all brands of well-used food storage containers. ● Toys & Games: Hasbro or VTech® & LeapFrog® brands only. Please remove all batteries. ● Tide Recycling Program: Tide Recycling Program accepts fabric care products and packaging from Tide, Gain, Downy & Dreft, and more. Additional items collected (not TerraCycle): ● Lion’s Club collection: Cell phones; home computer printer cartridges (no business-size cartridges); eyeglasses; hearing aids; keys ● Holiday lights, extension cords, etc. ● Aluminum Thrift & Upcycling in Bloomington - Normal area Abundant Thrift 501 N. East St. Bloomington 61701 Opens 10 am. Ph. 309-556-0598 https://abundantthrift.com/ Bargain Bins of Bloomington 474 Wylie Dr. 61705 Opens 10 am. Ph. 217-417-2445 https://www.facebook.com/BargainTimeBins/ Butter Twice & Again 120 E. Beaufort Normal 61761 Opens 11 am. https://www.buttertwiceagain.com/?utm_source=GMB Carle BroMenn Resale Boutique 1322 S. Main, Normal 61761 Opens 10 am. Ph.309-556-7467 https://carle.org/giving/ways-to-give/resale-boutiques Clothes Horse 122 E. Center St. LeRoy 61752 Opens 11:00 Ph.309-468-0015 https://clotheshorse.net/ Clothes Mentor 1407 N. Veterans Pkwy Bloomington 61704 Opens 10 am. Ph. 309-662-0111 https://bloomingtonil.clothesmentor.com/ Cute as a Button Consignment 1531 Ft. Jesse Rd Bloomington Opens 10 am. Ph. 309-663-7276 https://m.facebook.com/shopcaab?_rdr Encore Thrift Store 10840 art. 10 East, Clinton 61727 Opens 9 am. Ph. 217-935-7043 https://www.facebook.com/RemovetheR/ Faith Second Chance NFP 218 E Center LeRoy 61752 Opens 10 am. Ph. 309-962-5683 https://www.facebook.com/faithsecondchancethrift/ (The) Flea Thrift 1236 E.Empire Suite 1 Bloomington 61701 Opens 9 am. Ph.309-660-8834. https://www.thefleathrift.com/ (2) FruGALS Thrift 417 N. Main St. Bloomington 61701 Opens 10 am. Ph. 309-530-5592 https://www.facebook.com/2-FruGALS-Thrift-885141951607787 ISU Share Shop 305 N. School St., Normal 61761 Opens 10 am Wednesdays / Noon Fridays https://sustainability.illinoisstate.edu/engage/share-shop/ Kara & Kaylee’s Kloset 360 Wylie Dr. Suite 710. Normal Varies - check Facebook for current hours https://www.facebook.com/groups/566399040208123/ Love it Once More Thrift Store 1044 E. Jemima St., Clinton Opens 10 am. Mon-Sat. Ph. 217-731-4141 http://loveitoncemore.org/ Neighborhood Thrift. 406 N. Main, Bloomington 61701 Opens 10-6pm Mon.-Sat. Ph.309-827-2500 https://www.facebook.com/neighbor.thrift/ New Beginnings Thrift Shop McLean http://newbeginningsthriftstorewomenshelpcenter.com Once Upon a Child 105 Krispy Kreme Dr. Suite #2 61704 Opens 9-8 pm Mon-Sat. Ph. 309-808-2646 https://www.onceuponachild.com/locations/bloomington-il Plato’s Closet 1407 N. Veteran Pkwy. Bloomington 61704 Opens 10-9 pm Mon-Sat. Ph. 309-662-9844 https://www.platoscloset.com/locations/bloomington-il Spare & Share Shoppe. 111 Ford St. Gridley 61744 Opens 10-4 pm Mon-Fri. / 9-12pm Sat. Ph. 309-747-2693 https://thrift.mcc.org/gridley-spare-share-shoppe/home Worn Again Too 104 E. Main Heyworth 61745 Opens 10 am/ closing times vary. Ph.309-473-3800

Illinois State University's Fix It Friday program is an initiative aimed at addressing clothing sustainability efforts across campus and community. Fix It Friday offers basic sewing, mending, and clothing repair at no cost to both our campus and community. We also offer basic shoe and jewelry repair and cleaning.  We are excited to have this team back in store on First Friday, October 4 to bring their skills to Downtown. You're invited to drop off your item in need of mending all week, then pick of your item after 7:30 this Friday. See the schedule below and stop by to have this talented team bring new life to your clothing item. Learn more about Fix It Friday online!