Manufactured by a woman’s multipurpose group in Baguio City, Philippines, these paper frames and trivets are made from recycled newspapers.
Ryan Lely/Sonoma Vallley Sun
For Brian and Candi Smuckler, owners of three stores that specialize in fair trade merchandise, it’s been heartening to find that living their beliefs and professional success are not self-canceling. The couple opened Baksheesh, their first retail venture, in Sonoma in 1997, and it blossomed into a flourishing business founded on the principles of fair trade.
Only vaguely understood by the public 10 years ago, fair trade has become a selling point for manufacturers and retailers. Consumers are more knowledgeable about companies’ practices when outsourcing production to other countries and are actively seeking out products that are made responsibly.
“We buy high and sell low,” said Brian Smuckler. “In other words, we want to offer our customers moderately priced items, and we want the artisans who produce the items to make a living wage.” The Smucklers met at 10,000 Villages, an organization founded on fair trade. Brian helped develop start-up models for the company’s retail stores, which gave him the foundation to launch Baksheesh. “We knew we had to be in a high-traffic, high-visibility area. In Sonoma, that meant being on the Plaza.” That means higher rents, necessitating what Brian Smuckler terms “running a tight ship,” which includes negotiating longer leases, hiring a year-round staff, and tracking all items on a daily basis.
The store sells a wide variety of products from over 35 countries, and buys only from importers like 10,000 Villages who are part of a fair trade association and adhere to a set of standards and measurements. “These companies help people in other countries get access to a market, and have long term relationships with the artisans,” said Smuckler. “They can help a community or village use their skills to create products that will be saleable.” The system also cuts down on the number of middlemen, and keeps mark-ups lower.
Baksheesh expanded to Healdsburg, then to St. Helena in May of this year. The Smucklers also took on a partner, Annette Pereira, who runs the Healdsburg location. The company is self-financed and each location has proved successful and profitable. “We believe in ‘bricks and mortar’ because our products are handmade and can vary,” said Smuckler. “People enjoy the individual differences when they can browse items on a shelf, but it’s harder to do that on a Website.”
Customers can choose from coconut shell purses from India, vibrantly colored woven scarves and hats from Nepal, a Tusker Beer cap tray fashioned in Kenya, patterned baskets from Uganda or fused glass dishes from Vietnam. There are children’s books, toys and clothes; gifts from all over the world; and a large selection of articles made from elephant dung—unscented, naturally. The store also carries seasonal products, currently featuring Christmas and holiday items.
“We want to change the way the whole world does business,” said Smuckler with a smile. “We know we can’t do that all by ourselves, but we can make a difference if we try.”
Benefit shopping nights
Friday, November 30
Sonoma Valley Peace & Justice, Sonoma
Saturday, December 1 Teen Parent Support Organization, Sonoma
Monday, December 3 Sonoma Overlook Trail, Sonoma
Saturday, December 8 Petaluma Food Not Bombs, Sonoma
You can arrange for Baksheesh to stay open one night and your group gets 15 percent of everything sold that evening. For more information or to schedule a benefit shopping night, please call the store. 707.939.2847.
Baksheesh is at 423 First Street West, Sonoma
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun. Noon – 6 p.m.
707.939.2847
