Kate and Andrew Jones want you to shop differently. The husband-and-wife team drew on their past stints working with international nonprofits to launch Fair & Square Imports in downtown McKinney last September. The store encourages slow, considered shopping that underscores the couples’ belief that “everyday purchases can be incredibly powerful.”
Fair & Square Imports is one of the few retail stores in the area devoted solely to fair trade, handmade products. Goods like jewelry, decor, and art are not only created in safe and environmentally friendly working conditions by artisans in more than 30 developing countries, but they also serve as examples of cultural traditions that the Joneses want to help preserve. From Haitian wall art created from recycled oil drums to handmade baskets, each item has a story waiting to be shared. “Objects take on a different level of importance when you learn the stories of the people who create them,” Andrew says.
With an online store set to launch in February, the couple hopes to bring their goods to a broader audience. “There’s a joy in knowing that you’re helping someone by buying a beautiful, unique object,” Andrew says. “People are already shopping for gifts or items for their home. We just want them to use those dollars to do something good at the same time.”
