Global Fayre to close downtown storefront

Global Fayre co-owners David and Cheri Crump have decided to close their downtown Springfield fair-trade company's storefront.

The business will maintain an online sales presence at www.globalfayre.com and continue to hold community-centered fair trade sales and seminars.

"Everything except the retail store was growing nicely," David Crump said of the 324 S. Campbell Ave. store. "We were too thinly stretched, and that forced us to take a hard look at how the retail store was performing.

"It just wasn't doing well enough," he added, declining to disclose revenues.

Crump, who along with Ken Bash opened manufacturing company BioEmbedded early this year, said his time commitment to the manufacturer didn't contribute to the decision to close the Global Fayre storefront.

The Crumps plan to close the center city storefront May 14.

David Crump said last week - when the store's merchandise was marked down by 50 percent - Global Fayre recorded its greatest weekly sales figure since it opened in December 2007.

He said he has yet to tally total sales for the week.

Global Fayre sells fair-trade products including food, jewelry and toys from global locations including African nations and India. Crump also gives fair-trade talks to schools and community groups and holds sales at places such as churches, with 10 percent of proceeds given to the host organizations.

Due to the sales volume at the downtown storefront, Crump noted the online store has been temporarily turned off, but he said it will relaunch in about three to four weeks.

As for the South Campbell building - which the Crumps own - David Crump said it is too soon to tell what would  come of it, as the husband and wife co-owners are currently focusing on closing up the storefront.[[In-content Ad]]