My Fair Trade Lady is the only store in South Jersey designed to showcase fairly traded men’s, women’s and children’s accessories and clothing, jewelry, home goods, chocolate, coffee, tea, spices and more from global crafters and artisans that have been paid a living wage for the amazing items they create. Opened this year in Haddon Heights by Donna Gottardi, the store features affordable gifts from around the world, most of which are eco-friendly and sustainable, handmade from repurposed materials like aluminum cans, fishermen’s nets and even steel oil drums. For Gottardi, My Fair Trade Lady not only helps the artisans, but it also benefits consumers that care about the power and influence of their consumer dollars.

As a professor of sociology and anthropology at St. Joseph’s University and Rutgers University–Camden, Gottardi guided her students to countries where they were able to see firsthand the difference fair trade makes for small producers in countries where it’s difficult to earn a living wage. As a result of her research into fair trade practices and the relationships she made with folks that are economically and socially marginalized, Gottardi was inspired to open a store to create opportunities for individuals to better support themselves, their families and their communities through fair trade.

Location: 531 Station Ave., Haddon Heights. For more information, call 856-310-LADY or visit Facebook.com/FairTradeLady.