Ten Thousand Villages Mechanicsburg
For the decades since Ten Thousand Villages opened in Mechanicsburg, the store’s success has relied on community connections.
That’s what allowed the organization to grow, reach customers, bounce back post-COVID to an even better place than it was pre-pandemic and most importantly, to support fair trade.
“It’s been amazing,” explained Ron Hershey, a board member for the Ten Thousand Villages location. “There’s a solid customer base for this store, but there are still new people coming in.”
Ten Thousand Villages Mechanicsburg will hold a 30th anniversary celebration on Sept. 17, featuring music, food and, of course, shopping.
The event will bring back those who originally helped organize the Gettysburg Pike store, along with past board members and volunteers, while welcoming customers and community members to participate.
The shop is part of a larger network of Ten Thousand Villages company-owned and board-controlled nonprofit stores across the country, which aim to support small producers and artisans around the globe through fair trade practices.
Originally called “Self Help Crafts of the World,” the store opened in Camp Hill in 1992 when area churches and community members saw the potential for a store in their town. Hershey was hired as the first store manager and, shortly after, they moved the shop to Mechanicsburg. Later, it became Ten Thousand Villages, as the national organization also rebranded.
“It’s the mission that drew me in,” Hershey said. “Knowing that we are making a difference in the world to families who are making these products.”
Items for sale at Ten Thousand Villages in Mechanicsburg
The Mechanicsburg store carries clothing, household items, coffees and teas, children’s items, woven baskets and jewelry, among other items. The products are imported from countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa and sold at a range of prices.
Since the store is one of the brand’s board-run shops, it functions with a board of directors, a team of 20 to 30 dedicated volunteers and a few staff members. Dan Alonso used to volunteer with Ten Thousand Villages at the Mechanicsburg location. This year, he took the title of CEO of the company.
“It all started here as a volunteer,” he said. “I’ve been impressed by them since day one.”
The store is unique, Hershey explained, in that it isn’t located in a downtown district, a shopping center or somewhere easily walkable. While it doesn’t attract foot traffic, being situated next to Route 15 draws in travelers and has made it more of a “destination,” he said. And, of course, there are the loyal regular customers, Hershey said.
On the day of the anniversary celebration, the store will open for its regular business hours, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities will extend until around 9 p.m. in the lot behind the store and include live performances by Ben Simcox and Brazilian Vibes, food trucks, henna art, coffee tastings and outdoor games.
All are invited, with the warning, that once you visit Ten Thousand Villages, you may find yourself coming back.
“Once a villager, always a villager,” Hershey said.
Ten Thousand Villages Mechanicsburg is located at 701 Gettysburg Pike. For more information on the celebration, visit their Facebook page.
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