Voice Gift Guide 2007

Dreaming of a green Christmas
Think global...Shop local!

Page 2
Support local economies and eco-friendly producers

Keep walking in the direction of Old Town Takoma and you'll find Big Bad Woof (117 Carroll St NW, 202-291-2404). Co-owner Pennye Jones-Napier explains that when she and partner, Julie Napier, opened the store nearly three years ago, many of the products sent by their distributors were made in China. Since that time they have continually replaced those items with fair trade items and goods produced locally or by other small, US companies.

Zorra from Big Bad Woof enjoys a recycled cotton bed, in the midst of merchandise selected with fair trade and enviromental considerations in mind. Photo: Julie Wiatt

Julie and Pennye have developed a set of criteria they follow to decide what and what not to carry. They make every effort to support local economies, while at the same time seeking out products that are well made. Supporting Eco-friendly businesses is part of their mission, too.

The couple reels off examples:Freedom Harnesses are produced by Wiggles, Wags, and Whiskers, a woman-owned company in Troy, Michigan. Pet dishes come from North American potters, some of them local. Bella Creature Comforts provides dog beds, cat beds, and blankets made of recycled cotton fibers. Planet Dog, of Portland, Maine, supplies non-toxic, recyclable toys, collars, treats, and beds. Imperial cat scratchers, fanciful contoured cat scratchers made out of recycled, recyclable cardboard, are the product of an Arkansas company. And Big Shrimpy Beds are produced by a Seattle area company from pre-consumer fiber scraps that come from landfills.

Pennye notes that some of these companies, including Planet Dog, did not originally manufacture goods in the U.S. Now, in part because of Big Bad Woof’s pressure, they do.

Most of the foods sold at Big Bad Woof come from companies that make conscious decisions to buy from socially responsible farms, some Amish-owned, many free-range. The store is currently working with Smith Meadows Farms, a staple at the Takoma Park farmer’s market, to supply freeze-dried hearts, livers, and possibly bones.

Among the fair trade items for sale in the store are brightly colored beaded collars made by tribes in three Kenya villages. They’re supplied by JMS Ventures of Vienna, Virginia, a project of Joan Schultz, who has lived and worked in Africa for over 20 years. Proceeds from the sale of toys made by A Cheerful Pet of Elmer, New Jersey, benefit an orphanage in Nepal.

Big Bad Woof does a number of things that have built customer loyalty, keeping patrons coming back, two or three times a month. One is its participation in the Repeat Reward Card program. Ask for details at the store. Another is through store giveaways. Julie Napier says that if anything, business has exceeded expectations. In fact, she and Pennye are in the process of making plans to franchise the store within the immediate region. www.thebigbadwoof.com

Up the street at the intersection of Carroll and Laurel you might pick up an eco-friendly reusable shopping bag at S & A Beads. Or you could choose to support the recycling of goods by purchasing antiques or vintage wear at one of several Old Takoma shops: Takoma Vintage Vault, Moonshadow Antiques, Rerun, and Polly Sue’s. In response to a groundswell of support, Glad Rags—the consignment clothing shop at Takoma Junction—remains open and will expand its offerings in the coming year. More objects from local artists…more men’s clothes…new, in-store events.

Maybe now you’re ready to eat. If so, stop by Mark’s Kitchen (7006 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD, 301-270-1884). Since 1989, Mark’s has been a great gathering place. Throughout the years it has given back to the community by sponsoring monthly benefits to support local non-profit organizations and institutions serving local residents. Owner Mark Choe donates 15 percent of a day’s sales to an organization, generally the third Tuesday of the month.

Next page: Safe toys and workers' rights

Pages < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >

Fashionable Fair Trade 1	Eco-friendly producers 2	Safe toys & workers' rights 3	Planet Silver Spring 4
Don't get malled! 5	A women's boutique with a conscience 6	David Eisner and his House of Musical Traditions 7	Think independent business

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