Others Shop

Fargo’s fair-trade fashion

By Emily Schubert

Erica Frank glances out of her bay window along Eighth Street, a cup of coffee in her hand, watching a mother and daughter walk by Others Shop. Her view is somewhat static, blocked by the intricate floral arrangements and the elegant mannequins dressed for a cool fall day full of excitement.

The mantra “Others: Who we shop for,” so prominently displayed on the wall of the downtown Fargo fair-trade boutique, encompasses the who and why of the customers perusing the clothing racks and book shelves. The others that are benefitting from the sales are not only the recipients of the hand-crafted hats or earrings, but also the creators of the clothing, decor and bath items. How can the Fargo community affect the communities where the items were made? Frank, who serves as the buyer/coordinator of Others, answers with two simple words: fair trade.

Fair trade is not only an idea but a lifestyle that Others desires to inspire in their customers and surrounding community. “Fair trade guarantees ethical treatment, fair wages, no child labor, no sweat shops and is a friend of the environment,” Frank says with a serious look on her face. “We are breaking the stereotype of free trade being only coffee and chocolate. It’s more than that.”

The more comes from the principles that Others was built upon: fair trade, giving back and donating 100 percent of their profits. The profits are donated to a select charity that changes each month. For October, the children of a Haitian village are provided free breakfast because someone in Fargo bought a hat, with the proceeds going to The IF Foundation Breakfast Program, allowing children to focus on their studies instead of their stomachs. A smile spreads across the face of the shopkeeper/public relations specialist/interior designer/artist, and she adds, “[we want to] do good instead of harm.”

The good that Others strives to bring about is demonstrated by the book exchange that customers can see as they walk into the shop as well as the products stocked on the shelves. Each product has a story and can be traced back to its source. Krochet Kids International is the nonprofit, free-trade brand that supplies the handmade hats hanging in the center of the establishment. They provide work for communities in Peru and Uganda and educate their workforce to help them move their lives forward to bigger and better things.

In order to have a product in Others, the brands must meet several criteria. They must be a nonprofit, free-trade organization guaranteeing ethical production that helps people find work when it may be scarce, provides education material and outlets, and fosters a sense of community.

Frank and the owner of Others, Laura Morris, have taken flight with their goal of letting shopping help change the world. But shopping is not the only event taking place at the downtown boutique. Since the reopening at their Eighth Street location in June, Frank and Morris have been hosting yoga on the second Monday of every month. In February, speaker Nicole Ray will be holding workshops titled “Creating Your Inspirational Banner” and “Creativity, Channelling It.” Of course, Frank and Morris need to retain one crucial caffeinated stereotype of free trade in their socials: Free-trade coffee inspires discussion and involvement in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

When a new customer walks into the shop, Frank immediately greets them and tells them the story of what their purchases can do for others and “who they shop for.”

“It’s about education and community,” says Frank. “It’s about the something more.”