It's Only Fair- Newport, Kentucky

As part of Friday's Fair Trade Field Trip, after warming up at Carabello Coffee, we first stopped by the local St. Vincent de Paul store at 906 Monmouth Street

and I found some really cute, small plates for $0.50 each. They're made by Gibson and I think they match my mother-in-law's set. She does have good taste. The store may not be "Fair Trade", but any chance to upcycle, recycle, or repurpose is pretty great too.

Just down the block lay our intended target, "It's Only Fair" (911 Monmouth Street, Newport). We met the owner (has that ever happened at Wal-Mart?) She asked how we heard about the store, and what ensued was a pleasant, albeit brief, conversation about some of the items, where they are from and her travels to see first-hand the ministries and organizations that are making a difference in the lives of orphans, trafficked women and children and people who are at risk for exploitation.

It's a small store, filled with hundreds of beautiful items. There is clothing, beautiful scarves, jewelry, handbags, wallets and more. My younger girls each had a little allowance money they wanted to spend and they felt really good supporting children in Nicaragua and a non-profit from Thailand. I found some yummy Fair Trade chocolate and Fair Trade chai tea. Even her shopping bags are made from recycled newspaper and made by at-risk children in India.

If you're interested in visiting It's Only Fair (which I highly urge you to do!), I make the following two suggestions: 

• Like her Facebook Page because the hours are different for each day, and
• leave small children at home. There is not a lot of room for strollers and chasing little ones amongst all of the items, might be a challenge. Use your own judgment though.

As an added head's up, be aware that some street parking in this area is limited to 15 minutes. Free street parking can be found though and was widely available during our noontime adventure. All of us women left with the anticipation of returning again soon. The young man...well, maybe some day.