Located in the busy Addington Coffee Co-op, The Addington Store welcomes you with big open arms. The sign above the window boasts the store’s main premise: “Locally Made. Ethically Traded. Environmentally Friendly”. There is a vast range of fair trade consumables like coffee, sugar and (most importantly) chocolate, so you are safe in the knowledge that the products are ethically produced and distributed. The proof really is in this organic pudding because these fair trade goods are both morally sound and eclectically fabulous.
Teapots from Hanoi and knitwear from Peru peacefully coexist on the boutique’s shelves, and the store’s exotic smells are the first to greet you (the friendly man behind the counter will be a close second). There are treasures for the young, and the young-hearted, including quirky money boxes, ethnic jewellery and colourful animal puzzles. This store has a larger-than-life personality and it is something that ought not to be missed, after all, there is something wonderful about purchasing those scrabble cufflinks and knowing that you are promoting fair trade and, ultimately, a fairer world.
Words: Fern Macvey