Sep 24, 2014

Trade Roots in Arlington is a Store That Focuses on Gifts, Coffee and a Global CauseBy Bettina LanyiWashingtonPost.com

Arlington, VA – Browsing at Trade Roots reveals a multitude of delights — a saffron-and-burgundy blanket from India made of old saris, South African bowls made with used telephone wire, intricately carved Ecuadoran jewelry boxes made from hollowed-out gourds. Now those delights include fair-trade-sourced Peruvian pour overs, iced lattes, organic Indian chai or Assam tea, and breads, scones and cookies from local bakeries.

Trade Roots opened its doors two years ago in a narrow space between the Arax Cafe and the Golden Valet dry cleaner on Washington Boulevard. When Arax closed shortly after, Trade Roots expanded into its space. And on Labor Day, the small Westover village shop, which specializes in handmade fair-trade goods from around the world, expanded yet again, moving into the adjoining space recently vacated by Golden Valet and opening a coffee shop in the expanded space.

A prominent “Coffee” sign hangs in the front window and a placard is set up near the curb, in the hope that the coffee bar will draw additional foot traffic to the store. On a recent weekday morning, Alison Cuellar perched on one of the benches owner Lisa Ostroff built from reclaimed wood, sipping coffee while chatting with her sister, Jessica Turner, who lives several blocks away. Cuellar, who has long relied on Trade Roots for gifts, said the new coffee shop is a cozy place to meet with friends.

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