Ten Thousand Villages in Guilderland to close

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Ten Thousand Villages in Guilderland will be closing its doors, the company announced on Thursday. The shop, which will close on March 31, is one of 13 company-owned stores closing across the country.

Ten Thousand Villages is a fair-trade retailer dedicated to selling artisan-crafted decor, accessories and gift items from around the world. The shop, located in Stuyvesant Plaza, opened in 2001. 

The shop’s closure comes as the Ten Thousand Villages company shifts its focus to e-commerce and wholesale partnerships, the business said in a press release. Other closing shops are located in Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

“Our store and support staff affected by this change have been champions of fair trade, creating connections with customers and artisans alike,” said Dan Alonso, CEO of Ten Thousand Villages. “We are deeply grateful for their dedication and are committed to supporting them through this transition.”

According to the press release, the closures will allow the company to continue its mission of collaborating with artisans in underserved communities while also adapting to the modern market. Additionally, its new digital and wholesale focus will reportedly enable the organization to expand its reach.