Little Waihi Beach village shop is big on stories

Lorraine Bax and Sue Hope from the Village People. Photo by Rebecca Mauger

There is an adorable little fair trade shop in Waihi Beach village that is big on stories.

Village People is packed with a variety of goods from poverty-stricken craftspeople and charities mostly from undeveloped countries.

Owner Lorraine Bax, with a background in retail, has partnered with more then 40 different handicraft groups and ethical small industries in various countries for a globally sustainable future and she hopes to empower the different community groups, she says.

Every gift in the shop has a story. People can spend hours perusing the shelves and reading stories about the creators and charities.

An example is Srey Oun, an acid burn victim. She creates crochet purses, handbags, hair ties and bracelets, although she is blind. Lorraine purchases her products through Cambodia Charitable Trust.

It makes it even more special to give a gift which has a double meaning, Lorraine says.

''It's like a gift that keeps on giving.

''It helps to give people a life that they might otherwise would not have. When I purchase from them, it helps them. So in turn our customers are helping us to keep the cycle going.''

Goods of all kinds can be found here, including some product for New Zealand charitable groups, such as jewellery, rugs, toys, gift boxes, crochet bags, cane baskets and quilts.

The shop has been open since November but was in the making — with husband Keith Brown — for years. Keith died before the opening of Village People — which he named.

The Village People shop is at 23B Wilson Rd, Waihi Beach behind The Porch Kitchen and Bar in the village.