A Second Glance Fair Trade Marketplace opens off Route 24
A new shop on Route 24 is bringing a multicultural flair to its own unique style of clothing and accessories.
A Second Glance Fair Trade Marketplace is located next to JD Shucker’s in Peddler’s Village. The shop sells global goods made by artisans from more than 30 countries, offering clothes, jewelry and art.
Owner Dianna DiGiacoma practices fair trade at her shop, which opened in August, meaning the artisans are paid 100% up front for their wares, and then the shop sells the items on their behalf.
“It just gives them opportunities; it gives them a stable income. A lot of the moms can stay home. A lot of the clothes are made in Nepal, Peru, India. They get to stay at home and raise their kids, and still have dignified work,” DiGiacoma said.
Among the items DiGiacoma is most proud of are metal signs made in Haiti from steel drums.
“They hand hammer it with a railroad spike and a hammer,” she said. “It’s all done by hand. Every time I open a box, I’m in awe of the artisans and what they do.”
DiGiacoma said she has been involved in fair trade for about nine years after her daughter introduced her to it.
“I was just buying from her so much that she said, ‘You need to start selling it,’” DiGiacoma said.
Items come through trade organizations that vet and work with the artisans, and hook them up with retailers. DiGiacoma said she likes that the store has a personal touch and the items aren’t acquired through a big conglomerate. She said the store gives a purpose to both the artisans and to her.
“It makes my heart happy,” DiGiacoma said. “Even though we're here in the United States, we still have a hand in helping people in India or Nepal or in Haiti or Bangladesh. We can help them to have a better life.”
A Second Glance Fair Trade Marketplace is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. DiGiacoma said hours will likely change going into summer. For more information, search for A Second Glance Fair Trade on Facebook and Instagram.
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
