Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2006

CONTACT:
Kelly Fritz Garrow, manager of development/public relations
419-335-3763 x12
Cell: 419-822-7745

FAIR TRADE COFFEE AND GIFT SHOP LAUNCHES INTERNET STORE TO CREATE JOBS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts, a fair trade coffee and gift shop based in Maumee, Ohio, has launched Georgettes.org to market fair trade, organic coffees and gifts from Ten Thousand Villages and other fair trade organizations.

Georgette’s is owned by Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio, a non-profit agency providing residential, vocational and other services to people with disabilities.  Georgette’s employs 15 people with disabilities at its retail store and plans to add additional staff to service the internet business.

“Georgette’s is named after Sunshine’s late founder, Georgette Engler, who raised five children with severe disabilities in Maumee before turning her attention to helping other families care for their children by founding Sunshine more than 50 years ago,” noted Dianne Westhoven, manager of Georgette’s.

Georgettes.org features the finest Arabica bean coffees from the major growing regions of the world.  All beans are micro-roasted on site and shipped directly to the customer to ensure maximum freshness and flavor.  All coffees are Fair Trade CertifiedTM by TransFair USA, the only third party certifier of fair trade products in the United States.
Coffee can be purchased by the bag or as a Coffee of the Month gift set with auto delivery.

The site also offers unique gift packages for women, men and children with fair trade jewelry, purses, home décor items and foods priced from $30 to $100.  Georgette’s sources these handcrafted items from fair trade partners such as Ten Thousand Villages, a Greater Gift, Equal Exchange and the Women’s Bean Project.

“Georgettes.org is a way to create jobs and opportunities for people with disabilities served by Sunshine as well as a way to offer the finest in fair trade products and promote the growth of the fair trade movement,” said Kelly Fritz Garrow, manager of development.

Georgette’s retail store is located at 311 Conant Street in Maumee.  The coffee shop serves a full line of espresso drinks, brewed coffee, baked goods and light lunches.  An attached gift shop features an extensive selection of handcrafted jewelry, home décor pieces, linens, baskets, artwork and many other fairly-traded gifts.  Store hours are Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.