Check out our holiday specials!

Keep the Cheer Here and help build a local economy! By shopping local you can express your individuality and support the many eclectic, one-of-a-kind locally owned shops, restaurants and other interesting businesses all in one location: The Woodland Triangle— In the Woodland Triangle you will find everything you need for the Holiday season from eclectic to artsy to fun.

As customers, we are about to collectively spend a large portion of our annual shopping budget between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31. If you join us in shifting those dollars to locally owned, independent businesses, we can generate 2-3 times as much economic activity in our community than if we had spent our money at a national chain. Across North America, that could mean billions of dollars of economic impact. Let’s build an annual tradition that strengthens local economies, expands employment, nurtures a sense of community, and provides a more relaxed, fun, and rewarding gift-buying experience.

The Woodland Triangle Shop Local Weekend will feature in store specials, door prizes and refreshments. Stores will be open Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Shop for unique books, antiques, vintage boots, bicycles, Christmas decorations, fair trade gifts, boutique clothing and jewelry, yarn, local art, skateboards, beauty products, Gelato and Crepe’s and Ramsey’s Restaurant and famous Missy’s Pies

After spending a wonderful day with family and taking a much needed nap I sat down to look at the newspaper and started to look at all the ads that came out for Black Friday! I threw them down and said I don’t need any of this! The TV advertising was already getting on my nerves especially the screaming guys in the Justin Bieber commercial for Macy’s.  Why fuel the Big Box? Many Multinational corporations shop the world for the lowest wage and benefit deals without regard for the environment, human rights or the impact on the very poor.  Developing countries tend to welcome any new economic opportunities even those that involve sweatshops and child labor.

As consumers, we are about to collectively spend a huge portion of our annual shopping budget during the Holidays and we should take job creation and economic concerns into our own hands by using our purchasing power to strengthen our local economies. There are many campaigns supporting locally owned businesses such as Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday, Buy Local Week and Shift Your Shopping all with similar objectives to stimulate support for local businesses. If we all make a pledge to shift our dollars to locally owned, independent business this Holiday season we can generate 2-3 times more economic activity in our community! Studies show that for every $100 spent at independently owned stores $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend it in a national chain only $43 stays here. Spending it online nothing comes home!

Our work in Fair Trade allows us to experience community development first hand with our artisans in Guatemala. When our artisans receive payment for their work they turn around and spend it in the local economy buying food in the market, clothing and building materials. In turn those merchants can buy more in the local economy, build roads and schools and the community develops.  By providing consistent income and treating people fairly enables the artisans to break the vicious cycle of poverty. It enhances the dignity and creates hope for them and their families as they send their children to school, eat better food and have better health care. We have seen this happen again and again. This past September, I was in Guatemala and one of my artisans told me he had 6 children and that three of them were studying in the University.  The feeling you are making a difference in the lives of others is one of the biggest joys of running a fair trade store!

Fair trade may be the most powerful tool for boosting standards of living in the developing countries just as shopping local can be the most powerful tool for fueling our own local economy. As consumers our power is our dollar and we can rethink our participation in a system that workers are being paid just enough to stay alive and shift our shopping from the Big Box to the locally owned and independent business to help build our local economy.  This Holiday Season I am encouraging people to Shop Local first and buy the items we want and need at locally owned stores in order to maximize the benefits to our community.

To enter in a  chance to win a $500 Gift Certificate in the Local First Lexington Holiday Shopping Challenge visit http://localfirstlexington.com/

Plaid Friday was conceptualized in Oakland, CA, a city known for strong shop local campaigns. Plaid Friday brings back the neighborly nostalgic times when shopping for friends and family was a pleasurable leisurely activity.

Help us celebrate by wearing plaid while shopping at participating businesses on Friday, November 25th. Look for the special plaid placards at your local shops. Many of theses businesses are offering specials during Plaid Friday. Go to the participating businesses page to find out more.

Connect with Plaid Friday on Facebook.

Read the Plaid Friday blog.

On our 4th Anniversary, we have so much to celebrate!

Shop small and local this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and enter in our anniversary customer appreciation gift card drawing. One lucky fair trade shopper will win a $100 Lucia’s gift card!

Join Lucia’s fight against hunger! Lucia’s is taking donations for God’s Pantry
Bring in 3 non-perishable food items and receive 15% off your purchase Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Equal Exchange Tea Tasting Saturday & Sunday

Enjoy a taste of our new Fair Trade Tea (and some Chocolate too or should we make fair trade brownies?)

In the Woodland Triangle you will find everything you need for the Holiday season from eclectic to artsy to fun. Shop for unique books, antiques, vintage boots, bicycles, Christmas decorations, fair trade gifts, boutique clothing and jewelry, yarn, local art, skateboards, beauty products, Gelato and Crepe’s and Ramsey’s Restaurant and famous Missy’s pies. Many of the businesses will have in store specials, door prizes, special events and refreshments. Stores will be open Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m..

The Woodland Triangle is located between E. Maxwell St., High St., Kentucky Ave. and Woodland Ave. Lexington, Ky.

Happy Halloween! Today is the last day of our Fair Trade Month Celebration take 10% off your entire purchase. If you still need some Fair Trade chocolate for Halloween or just to enjoy it is 15% off today. Remember there are many ways to make a difference everyday!

Stop by Lucia’s to taste our Fair Trade Brownies

What if the sugar you use could help farmers provide a better education  and allow for investment  in community development. When you buy Fair Trade Certified products you are making a choice that ensures farmers and workers are earning a fair  wage.

To help make it is easy to make the the switch Lucia’s  is launching our new Fair Trade Recipe  of the Month!