One of the largest Ten Thousand Villages outlets in the U.S. is getting a little bigger now that the downtown Ann Arbor store is expanding its space.

Ten Thousand Villages opened up five years ago at 303 S Main St., the space that used to be Lucky Drugs. It has since expanded from its 1,500 square feet into the basement below, a space that nearly doubles the square footage. The basement space is being used for storage for the time being to facilitate the store's growing sales.

Ten Thousand Villages works with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 Third World countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to sell fair trade jewelry, home décor and other gifts. The downtown Ann Arbor store recorded $600,000 in sales last year. It has been the highest purchasing store among the chain's contract stores.

"We have all of the things that make a business good," Susan Rogal, store manager of the Ten Thousand Villages store in downtown Ann Arbor. "We have the right product, location and promotion."

The store employs three staff members and draws upon a volunteer list 75 people strong. It is aiming for $1 million in annual sales within the next few years.

Source: Susan Rogal, store manager of Ten Thousand Villages store in downtown Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke