Online support outpouring for closing MCC business

After 74 years in business, Ten Thousand Villages is closing its corporate offices and most of its retail stores.

A Facebook post outlining the business's business plan has received over 2.1 thousand likes, over 1600 shares, and more than 500 comments in less than a day.

Ten Thousand Villages plans for its corporate offices, online shopping, and their eastern-Canada locations to be closed by May 29, 2020.

"In this challenging retail environment, we recognize your commitment, support and dedication to the success of Ten Thousand Villages Canada. However, in spite of all our best efforts, we have been unable to achieve the level of sales that would continue to provide us with the ability to operate a sustainable business model," Ten Thousand Villages says in a statement.

Fourteen of their 21 stores and the corporate offices, including the website, are permanently closing. Brandon and Steinbach's stores will remain open but both Winnipeg retail locations are closing.

• Read more: Canada's first-ever fair trade store set to close

Most of the stores and the website are operated by Mennonite Central Committee Canada but they have found the stores are no longer bringing in enough money to sustain its operations. The remaining stores are running by private owners.

In 1946, a woman named Edna Ruth Byler believed "that all people deserved to earn a fair and stable income, through the dignity of work." The MCC recognized her vision and helped her open stores in Canada selling goods from across the world. There are currently locations in most of Canada's provinces.

Ten Thousand Villages was a popular shop for holiday shopping and were a purveyor of Fair Trade goods.