Bethlehem Charity Store Gives Chance to Shop Like Celeb

Bethlehem Charity Store Gives Customers Chance to Shop Like a Celebrity

TAURANGA, Tuesday 21st November 2012: Bethlehem Town Centre’s UP Market store, owned by the Cambodia Charitable Trust, is giving groups of women the opportunity to shop like a celebrity, offering exclusive openings outside of normal trading hours.

Denise Arnold, the founder of The Cambodia Charitable Trust and The UP Market store, says if it’s good enough for Oprah to shop like this, it’s good enough for their customers.

“We recognise that women are under immense pressure at Christmas time and we wanted to make shopping more enjoyable by making the hours more accommodating and giving them a chance to catch up with a group of friends at the same time,” says Arnold.

Gifts suit a range of ages, from baby blankets, stuffed animals and children’s toys to handbags, silk scarves and jewellery.

“Women love shopping here because the products are unique, handcrafted and affordable. Customers also love the stories behind these gifts and that these beautiful artworks provide a voice for the people of Cambodia.

“These gorgeous pieces not only appeal aesthetically, but also to people’s sense of global responsibility, as 100 percent of the profits go back to Cambodia to help the women and children in that country get back on their feet,” says Arnold.

Many of the products sold come from people who would have no alternative income, for example acid burn victims from the rural Cambodian provinces who make bracelets and handbags and landmine victims who make handbags and purses.

“Many of our products are made by home-based producers. We visit them to discuss styles or fabrics, so we know who they are, where they live and how they work,” she says.

Local resources are used in the creations of the products sold at The UP Market; empty cement bags are used to make shopping bags, and recycled bomb fragments are used to make peace dove necklaces.

Founded in September 2012, The UP market is located in the Bethlehem Town Centre. The store’s normal operating hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm and Wednesday 11am – 3pm, with groups able to organize a session between 5-7pm any night of the week. To arrange a date and time for your group, contact denise@lyon-oneale.co.nz, text 021955765 or to get more information about the Cambodia Charitable Trust, go to http://www.cambodiatrust.org.nz/

ENDS

© Scoop Media