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gifts/kids/pets/home

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Carol Schroeder
Orange Tree Imports
1721 Monroe St
Madison, WI 53711

608-255-8211


www.orangetreeimports.com

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Product/Service

Scandinavian design was the earliest influence on our buying philosophy for Orange Tree Imports, and we still pay close attention to the marriage of good design and function. We carry many tools and specialty items for the kitchen, as well as gourmet foods and chocolates. In addition to practical items, we carry gifts, toys and cards to delight the giver and recipient -- sometimes beauty or whimsy alone are reason enough to carry a product.

Some of our products are made of recycled materials, and we pay special attention to avoiding excessive packaging on the products we carry. Almost of the shipping materials coming into the store are later recycled.

Buying Local

Orange Tree Imports is a child of the 70s, born of a desire to create a wonderful shopping experience, a meaningful workplace, and to give back to our community. With these as our business goals, it just makes sense to help support many local arts and social service organizations, and try to use low-energy and recycled products in our store whenever feasible. We work closely with our fellow merchants to maintain Monroe Street as a viable neighborhood, and take an active role in encouraging other locally owned businesses.

History

Co-owners Carol "Orange" and Dean Schroeder founded Orange Tree Imports in a small storefront on Monroe Street in 1975. Since that time the store has expanded twice, and is now managed by a staff of about 30 using a participative democracy form of management. Orange has written a book entitled Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store (John WIley & Sons), which has sold over 30,000 copies in the US, Canada, England and Russia. The book includes a chapter on doing good through your business, and running a retail store using basic principles of recycling and energy stewardship.