CEDAR FALLS — Along Main Street reside two connected businesses, World’s Window and The Cob Mercantile.
World’s Window, at 214 Main St., has been around since 1982 and sells products purchased through vendors from other countries. The Cob Mercantile, at 212 Main St., was established in 2022 and provides stalls for Iowa vendors to sell their own products.
World’s Window is a “store with a purpose,” helping artisans in underdeveloped countries. The Cob Mercantile is “a place to grow,” giving Iowa artisans a place to introduce their products to the community without overhead that may prevent them from starting their own businesses.
Both are owned by Betsy Rolling, whose journey with World’s Window started long before she owned the store.
Betsy Rolling has operated as the owner of both The Cob Mercantile and World’s Window since 2022.
“I came and volunteered here, and they asked me to be on the board. From there, I went into management, and I’ve been around here for a little while. … When I started The Cob, I came back to the board and approached them to buy World’s Window.”
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Through World’s Window, Rolling has brought works from artisans across the globe directly to the Cedar Valley. World’s Window operates as a certified fair-trade business, abiding by the rights of artisans themselves and helping to preserve the environment.
The fair-trade principles guide World’s Window’s purchasing and selling to ensure the rights of their artisans and respecting the environment.
To maintain its certification, World’s Window is audited every year to ensure fair-trade principles are being abided by the shop and its vendors.
“Fair-trade is kind of about giving back when you shop,” said Rolling. “Making sure you know where this came from and who made it. Just being a little more proactive in the process. Who made this? How is it made? What’s it doing to the environment?”
The Starfish Project sells jewelry to benefit women in China who have been sex trafficked.
World Window’s vendors also forge relationships with artisans to ensure their financial stability. The business buys from workers in countries like Nepal, Ecuador, China, Guatemala and Ghana.
“There’s a women’s group in Vietnam that makes cards, and they can make their pieces and sell them to us all while still maintaining their home and taking care of their kids, all while making money off of their pieces from us,” Rolling explained.
A tag on a clothing item sold by World’s Window tells the story of the Nepalese artisans that handcrafted the garment.
Some groups that sell to World’s Window also benefit marginalized groups. The Starfish Project, an artisan group from China, gives back to women who have been trafficked, providing them with education and housing.
Through a doorway that connects The Cob Mercantile and World’s Window, customers can move freely between the two shops.
The local and global arrows on the doorway that connects World’s Window and the Cob Mercantile signify the section for Iowan artisans and worldwide artisans.
The Cob Mercantile offers booths for Iowan vendors to sell their products. According to Rolling, a majority of them live within a 25-mile radius from Cedar Falls.
“When you buy from The Cob, your money is going directly back into the community,” she said.
The Iowa magnet wall in The Cob Mercantile allows for Iowans who visit to mark where they’re from.
The Cob Mercantile offers hand-painted mandalas, a crystal booth, candles, and a soap refill station. World’s Window also sells books written by Iowa authors.
One of The Cob Mercantile booths features a refilling station, complete with hand soap, detergent, dish soap, and cleaner. Customers can bring their own containers and pay per ounce to fill their containers.
“This gives people an outside view of the products that are made in underdeveloped countries and the quality and the craftsmanship that come in, and it just carries over to the Cob,” said Rolling. “We try to help the small local artisan have a place to sell, and we try to do the same for the underdeveloped groups that we work with.”
Both shops are open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find a full selection of their products at the website worldswindowcf.com.
PHOTOS: Class 1A Girls State Quarterfinal, Hudson vs. Nevada, May 28, 2024
Hudson’s Gia Baldviezo forwards a free kick during a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Callie Stickfort battles Nevada’s Mady Gibson for a ball during second half action of a 1A state quarterfinal Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Ella Hiatt forwards a ball during second-half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Gia Baldiviezo marks a Nevada forward during 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Stickfort chases after a loose ball during second-half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson goalkeeper Lauren Seres looks to move the ball quickly after making a second in the second half of a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Ansley Trunck marks a Nevada forward during second half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Taylor Davis and Nevada’s Evelyn Anderson chase after a loose ball during second half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Annabelle Lange eyes a flying ball during second half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Taylor Davis creates a wide body in order to deflect a forwarding pass during a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Savannah Schneider is surrounded by three Nevada defenders during second half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Annabelle Lange battles a Nevada forward during a 1A state quarterfinal against Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Ella Hiatt blasts a pass-through Nevada’s Isabelle Nelson during second half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Hudson’s Makenzie Stuart gathers a ball during second-half action of a 1A state quarterfinal against Nevada Tuesday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
