In 2004, Marcie Boyer and her partner David Lewis set out to break away from corporate life and start a business with nothing more than $500, a tent and a passion for fairness and equality. After a year of street vending, the couple set up shop on New London’s Bank Street and created Flavours of Life, the only fair trade brick-and-motor in the eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island areas. Five years and one recession later, they’re still on Bank Street – albeit in a different building, having outgrown their first location – and this November they’re celebrating with an anniversary event.

“It’s been a roller coaster ride. Lots of things have changed in the city in the last five years and looking back at what we’ve achieved, it’s amazing!” Marcie Boyer, owner of Flavours of Life, said. “We’re alive and well, and now we want to celebrate!”

The Flavours of Life’s Five Years on Bank Celebration will be held at their storefront, located at 86 Bank St., New London, Conn., on Thursday, November 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The celebration will include a poetry reading by local poet Rhonda Ward and an invocation and blessing by Reverend Claudia Highbaugh, dean of religious and spiritual life at Connecticut College. Light food and drinks will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

Over the past five years, Boyer and Lewis have stuck to the guidelines they began with: keep it small, keep it meaningful and stay community focused, a combination that is very evident in their recent I FAIR TRADE campaign that launched in May.

“Five years ago to launch the business, we had a multi-faith blessing representing both local diversity and the people who make our fair trade products,” David Lewis, Flavours of Life co-founder, said. “Since then we’ve partnered with many community groups to spread the fair trade message. Now local business owners and advocates are furthering the cause through the I FAIR TRADE campaign.”

Aimed at encouraging supporters and purchasers of fair trade to actively promote the benefits of fair trade to their community, Flavours of Life’s I FAIR TRADE campaign features a different business owner or community activist every month. This month, to celebrate Five Years on Bank, six people are featured: Boyer, Lewis and the entire Flavours of Life team.

About Flavours of Life:

Flavours of Life is eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island area only fair trade retail store. Located in historic downtown New London, Flavours of Life continues a rich tradition of a port city by connecting global and local communities. All products sold at Flavours are handmade under fair trade conditions and are sourced from recognized fair trade organizations. For more information, visit www.flavoursoflife.com.

About Fair Trade:

Fair trade is an international movement promoting equitable trade as a means of alleviating poverty. Originating in the 1940s, the movement advocates the payment of a fair price to producers as well as social and environmental standards. Fair Trade businesses commit to a number of ethical principles including: paying a fair price and a living wage; providing equal opportunities for men and women; preventing child slavery and exploitation; engaging in environmentally sustainable practices; being open to public accountability; providing safe working conditions; and providing financial and technical assistance to producers.

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