One sunny morning in 2004, shortly after she moved to Okotoks, Jodi Loverin walked into the Tribal Connection Market on McRae Street, established by her friend Adelle Henderson.
“I bought a beautiful abalone shell necklace for $12,” she remembered. “I really liked the vibe of the store and the idea of it being a fair-trade business, so I went back and volunteered to work there.”
Not long after, Loverin’s sister, Wendy Badduke, and their mother, Julie Shultz also began working at the store while running their jewelry importing business at the same time. Seven years later, the sisters bought the store.
“It was a perfect fit,” Badduke said. "We had been travelling a lot with our jewelry, going to shows all across the province, doing a lot of packing and unpacking. With little kids in tow – I had four and Jodi had two – it was difficult.”
Today, Tribal Connection Market is a unique and eclectic experience. Its mission is to help farmers, workers and artisans in underdeveloped countries provide a sustainable lifestyle for themselves and future generations. In all my years of travelling throughout North America, I’ve never seen another place like this one.
During the week, customers enjoy organic coffees or beverages while shopping for fair trade products.
“We have friends that travel the world and bring back products that they have purchased for fair prices directly from the producers,” Loverin said. “The ‘fair’ price includes both the cost of the materials and the time put in by the producer. All too often that time factor is left out, and the worker doesn’t receive full value for the skill and effort that goes into making the product.”
“We’ve made buying trips to Costa Rica and Africa,” Badduke added. “For the longest time, we’d take all of our tips to Africa to give to orphanages.”
As time went on, the coffee shop part of the store expanded to become a venue for live music. The backyard – which included a deck – was enclosed all the way to the garage, which was converted into a small cabaret with a stage and dining tables.
“We call it the Listening Room,” Loverin said. “It’s one of the most intimate performance venues in Okotoks. Our goal was to create a place for up-and-coming local musicians to take the stage.”
The Listening Room literally provides an opportunity for everyone to perform in front of a live audience almost every weekend, and sometimes even during the week. For example, on Friday, March 1, it’s Karaoke Night, and anyone over 18 is invited to come and sing their hearts out.
Events like Monday Open Mic (which attracts an audience of mostly seniors), Youth Music Open Mic Night and Freestyle Friday are also scheduled almost every month. Check them out at tribalconnectionmarket.com.
