Welcome to "The Gate" Bookstore!


Need a unique and wonderful gift?  We invite you to Shop The Gate!

Please stop by during the hours listed on the left.
These hours do change seasonally so keep your eyes tuned here for the latest information.

Also, you may contact The Gate bookstore by telephone at 719.471.8522 x 456 to make an appointment for private shopping!

Expanding Fair Trade at "The Gate"

The Gate now has a growing Fair Trade presence as a part of Missions Outreach.  Each item is truly unique and handmade in the country of origin listed on the tag.  In many cases we can give you the background of the individual artisan or group making the items and what your purchase supports.  The Fair Trade section of the store has expanded to include items from the Far East, Africa & South America. 



Try out a variety of  scarves in many colors including  raw silk from Vietnam, Alpaca items from Peru, weaves from Guatelmala.  These textiles demonstrate the variety of craftsmanship and styles representative of the countries of origin and are perfect to accessorize the  chic woman's  wardrobe or to please the more free-spirited woman.  There's a style, a color, a design for everyone's palate.








 

Equal Exchange© Coffees and Teas
 
Flying off the shelves are Fair Trade and maddeningly, delicious, aromatic teas as well as Fair Trade chocolate bars in "milk" and the growing in popularity, and "good for you", "dark" varieties.  Come try a chocolate, sea salt & caramel bar, or something with a little hint of orange or mint.  Try them all and decide for yourself which suits you best.  You'll be sure to come back for more! 
    

                                                                                                                                                              
One of a kind handbags
Accessorize with handbags like none other.  Come see a variety of handbags crafted from the most unique recyclable materials.  These are more than conversation pieces, they are fashion forward, useful and delightfully, designer-wonderful. 
Better yet, they are "all that" and more as proceeds from the sale of these hand-made bags aid women's Fair Trade business cooperatives in impoverished communities.

Chocolates & Summer-time Treats
Craving something delicious as you while away the hours with kids?  Try baking some cookies using our line of Fair Trade semi-sweet chocolate morsels.  
Or dip fresh strawberries in Fair Trade melting chocolate, refrigerate until chocolate hardens, and enjoy!
What is Fair Trade?

Our supplier, Global Crafts, defines it as a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in the international trading system by:

  • Providing fair wages in the local context
  • Supporting safe, healthy, and participatory workplaces
  • Supplying financial and technical support to build capacity
  • Promoting environmental sustainability
  • Respecting cultural identity
  • Offering public accountability and transparency
  • Building direct and long-term relationships
  • Educating consumers
Fair Trade Federation members foster partnerships with producers, because they know these connections are a highly effective way to help producers help themselves.

Fair Trade is not about charity.  It is a holistic approach to trade and development that aims to alter the ways in which commerce is conducted, so that trade can empower the poorest of the poor.  Fair Trade organizations seek to create sustainable and positive change in developing and developed countries.
Special Features:


Unique & Fair Trade
at The Gate

New from the Fair Trade organization "Peace by Piece" are divinely simple, winsome and charming clay pottery pieces from Peru.  Choose from a gentle angel gazing down while holding a set of Andean pan pipes or a nativity bundling the Holy Family in a loving embrace.  These are quality  gems that seem to have just been released from the artist/creator's hands into yours to give, to hold, to cherish among the treasures in your home and heart.
The Gate stocks a fair-trade line of gifts for babies and children.  These beautiful hand-made products are from Bangladesh. 
Stop by to see these adorable dolls, rattles, and hats. 
Brought to you by Yellow Label.®
 

Rising from the rubble of the 2010 earthquake are fine works of Haitian art that have joined our family of Fair Trade items.  Wall hangings crafted from recycled oil drums depict birds in flight; ornate and beautiful crosses speak serenity to the hurting soul, nativities and Noah's Ark delight the eye.  These are handmade uniquely by Haitians whose craftsmanship and vision is comparable to no other and help bring a little needed commerce and productivity into lives ravaged by years of uncertainty, poverty and natural disaster.

Stop by the east-face of Lehmberg Chapel, (Nevada-side) and see how we used one of these Haitian works of art to bring St. Francis of Assisi to the flower bed.
 
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