Fair-trade store to close its doors


November 12, 2009 · Updated 7:51 AM 

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La Vida Verde, a Freeland business specializing in imported free-trade furniture and other items, is going out of business after 19 years.

“It’s been a rough decision, but it got tiring swimming up stream for this long,” said owner Kris Barker.

A final warehouse sale is planned for Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22, Barker said.

She and her husband, Michael, started the business after a holiday trip to Costa Rica, in which they became enamored by rocking chairs made by the locals.

They shipped some home to sell. The business grew to include items from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru and Colombia, and the Barkers eventually left their day jobs as teachers.

Fair trade is a partnership which encourages environmentally friendly production, sustainability and fair wages for artisans.

For information on La Vida Verde, visit the Web site www.lavidaverde.com or call 331-4078.

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