Voice Gift Guide 2007

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

Page 6
Amano
A women’s boutique with a conscience

photos and story by Vic Augustine

Amano's features comfortable shoes and a wide variety of accesories from all over the world

There are few aspects of small business retailing in which Jeff McCandless has not found himself.  He and his wife Veronica are the owners of Amano on Carroll Ave in old town Takoma.  Jeff’s involvement in distant economies in places like Chile go back to earlier days when he spent eight years in church sponsored activities to stimulate local economies and promote cottage industries.  Good intentions, he learned early in his participation, do not guarantee successful business however. 

There has to be thoughtful designing, a realized market at the point of purchase, and quality control at the point of manufacturing.  Over the years Jeff has had his hand in all of those aspects and emphasizes that the product chain must be complete from beginning to end or a lot of work will go unrewarded.

When asked about what may be a difficult economic period ahead, especially for small businesses, McCandless is not too worried.

 “A weakened US dollar has more impact than anything else at present”, he said. “ Any product coming from Europe is vulnerable to a higher price whenever the dollar is weak.”  He add that a recession here, will not necessarily impact on Amano’s product choices or its pursuit of conscientious retailing.

“The source of  products may be a cottage industry or a factory and Amano is dedicated to making the most positive product choices it can in the direction of Fair Trade” McCandless said

On Amano’s shelves and racks are vegan shoes made in the US, recycled silk scarves from Nepal, tencel fiber products from farm raised trees.  Organic cotton colored with natural dyes can be found in the store as well as items from Cambodia and Guatemala. Go to their website at amanotakoma.com or stop by the store in old town Takoma at 7034 Carroll Ave.

Next page: David Eisner and his House of Musical Traditions

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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