Summer is creeping upon us here in the Lowcountry....still relatively bug free though. As always, i meet truly wonderful and interesting people at the city market..tourists and locals alike. It seems to be that most locals venture downtown in the evenings and leave the daytime shopping to the tourists. The city market is going through a transition one for the better i am sure as the old lease expires and the new management take over. The market is a microcosm of life...some vendors are lifelong friends, some have a personality clash, most are there to make money......all having to 'get along' at least on a professional level.
Personally, i love the market...the rhythm of the seasons, sweltering in the summer, freezing in the winter(at least by Southern standards)...watching 'market babies' grow up...meeting travelers and locals alike, sharing stories. I have been a vendor for 4 years selling fair trade african art (Muenda) and hope to be there for many years to come.
It will be interesting to see how life will change in that space...a city market is a unique environment and i personally look forward to the opportunities that will arise. Maybe it is time to start a market blog!!

Muenda, a fair trade company is excited to be featuring African art at a new location called Rehava. Rehava is a new concept, a 'real estate store' with state of the art online technology to make home finding easy along with Realtors to help support you throught the process. We feature Shona sculptures from Zimbabwe, baskets from South Africa and Uganda. After spending time in Africa i am passionate about how fair trade really helps artisans and their communities. Particularly as the political/economic situation is so turbulent.....which in turns makes self-sufficiency virtually impossible. Steve the co-broker in charge is real supportive of Fair Trade...come check us out next to Starbucks, Tangers outlet North Charleston....

Fair Trade is growing, church centers are definately great advocates of fair trade. Many are involved with missions overseas that also raise awareness of social issues. Good luck to all on Fair Trade day May 10th. I have noticed that with the wider economic situation that many customers want to support fair trade over conventional trade when buying gifts as they are aware that these are gifts that give back. Rock on!!