PianoTerra, the Fairtrade Shop on Lake Como

On 5/05/2015 at 5 o’clock in Menaggio, in Via Leoni N°5, PianoTerra was inaugurated, a very special shop and the first of its kind in the central area of Lake Como: a fairtrade shop in the flesh!

PianoTerra is a corner of the world where many worlds, stories, projects intersect.

It is first and foremost a place where ‘fair trade’ is done.

What does that mean?

That products with a very high ethical value are sold here. All foodstuffs and handicrafts in this shop speak of fair prices for those who produce them, respect for the environment, direct business relations, respectful working conditions and transparency towards the consumer.

But PianoTerra is also much more!

On its shelves you mostly find products with important projects behind them. And so you can find pasta or oil from land confiscated from the Mafia, sandals made in Palestinian refugee camps, or T-shirts, with words taken from songs, created in Genoa prison. To give just a few examples.

And then there are the used books for €1, thanks to the sale of which, among other things, rent and utility bills are met.

The staff, on the other hand, is at zero cost because, it has to be said, everyone here is a volunteer!

By the way, they are always looking for new people willing to lend a hand! If by chance you are interested, contact them via their Facebook page or drop by the shop directly, they will be delighted!

Certainly one of the most beautiful things about this ‘suspended space’ is the atmosphere that you can breathe, one of great ferment!

Why not believe that in these four lines I have managed to tell you everything that is on the minds of the people who revolve around this reality. New ideas are the order of the day, the will to do is great and the desire to do more and better prevails over everything.

I recommend you take a tour!

Do you also have a soft spot for neighbourhood shops? Have a look at the Shopping section.