Business & Tech
New Shop to Sell Handmade Goods from Around the World
Angels Village Arts will open in La Grange this fall, and the money made at the store will help build a vocational school in Africa.
The Clipper Ship Gallery's long stay in La Grange brought paintings that showed glimpses from around the world. Now, the store set to open in its place will offer handmade items from—and to benefit—people from around the world.
Angels Village Arts, an arm of the non-profit organization Angels Outreach, is planning to open this fall at 10 W. Harris Ave. in La Grange. New La Grange resident Rachael Fitzpatrick started the business after a visit to Tanzania, where she visited the Lake Eyasi Vocational School.
"We’re just trying to get enough money to give back to those girls and help them," Fitzpatrick's said of the business' purpose.
Her background is as a home health care nurse, and she works with St. Rita's Private Duty and a hospice in Palos Heights. So helping people in part of her, and that extends to the mission of the Angels Outreach nonprofit.
The organization is also having a charity golf outing and dinner Aug. 29 to raise more money for the women in Tanzania. The goal is to help them build a new school to learn vocational skills, as well as plant fruit trees.
According to the group's website, "It is not uncommon for the women in Africa to become pregnant between the ages of 14 and 18. Once pregnant, they are abandoned and forced to discontinue their education, therefore, leading to economic hardship for the women and children for the rest of their lives."
The items featured at the new La Grange shop will include tote bags, dresses, jewelry and more, most of which is handmade by the women in Africa or in other locations that Fitzpatrick has traveled.
"I have a natural interest in other cultures," she said. I love to travel and see new places. As I go around and travel I hope to bring more items back to the store."
Fitzpatrick opened the first store in her hometown of Frankfort, KY, in March with her aunt, Jane Quire.
Stay tuned to Patch to find out when the store will open, and go to the Angels Outreach website to learn more about the charity golf outing.
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