Dallas’ Thousand Story Store Reopens World Fair Trade Day

DALLAS - April 30, 2015 - PRLog -- On May 9, 2015, Opportunity Market, a fair trade store in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District, will reopen its doors for World Fair Trade day. After a brand new renovation, the store’s owners are ready to invite the community inside to take and peek and share a priceless experience - the stories of thousands of women.

“When you leave with a handmade item from Opportunity Market, you’re not just leaving with the item you purchased. You leave with a piece of the artisan who made it— the story behind your product is like an additional gift, and we love sharing it with every single customer. Through their purchase, each customer participates in a global movement that empowers women and breaks cycles of poverty,” said Robert Ungemach, co-founder of Opportunity Market.

Opportunity Market is connected to approximately a thousand global and local causes. Just last year their sales helped the Kumbeshwar Technical School fund primary and nursery school education for more than 210 children in Nepal. Additionally, customers' purchases assisted the school in training 1,179 women in New Delhi to become financially independent entrepreneurs and artisans. The founders of Opportunity Market are closely attached to the organizations and causes they support.

One item, the Remember Necklace, is a favorite of the store’s co-owner Keith Emmons. “Women’s issues are a big motivator for me. The Remember Necklace was designed by Dianna Badalament who created the jewelry as a reminder of the many women trapped in human trafficking and other human rights abuses. The onyx woven into the wire represents the souls who are oppressed. It almost looks like a dream catcher, and customers buy into that dream of freedom when they take the necklace home,” said Emmons.

Every item, down to the materials and the beads, have meaning. That is what makes Opportunity Market a thousand story store. Just an hour in Opportunity Market will take customers on an adventure from Guatemala to India.

“Simon from Nairobi started taking old glass bottles and melting them down to make jewelry. After we started selling his products, he was able to buy a piece of land. Now, he’s taking on apprentices who just graduated from a 12-step program. They’re learning how to make jewelry so they can be entrepreneurs too. They can rebuild their lives because of this,” said Ungemach.

Besides leaving with the satisfaction of contributing to social change, Opportunity Market customers enjoy unique luxury hand-crafted products without the high price. The store avoids unnecessary markups often seen at big box retailers. More importantly, Opportunity Market doesn’t carry items or products that are mass produced in sweatshops or factories using child labor.  The store’s commitment to fair trade principles ensures artisans and employees receive immediate payment for their work.

To experience and participate in the stories of thousands of artisans, head over to Opportunity Market on World Fair Trade Day, May 9, 2015 on 415 N Bishop Ave in Dallas, TX.

Learn more about Opportunity Market on Facebook or Twitter @opportunitymrkt.

About Opportunity Market
Opportunity Market exists to help consumers bring about change in the world.  Guided by Fair Trade principles, the organization ensures proceeds from every sale assist in breaking cycles of poverty, empowering women and enabling economic stability. For more information about Opportunity Market, visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/opportunitymarketplace or stop by the store at 415 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75028.