Jubilee Global Gifts finds new owners, continues mission of community support

LEAVENWORTH — Upper Valley MEND announced Thursday the sale of Jubilee Global Gifts, a fair trade retail establishment, to local business owners Kirstie Miethe and Hans Mulders, continuing the store's role in supporting community initiatives.

The store, established in the late 1990s by John and Mary Schramm, has helped fund MEND's community programs since 2011, when the founders donated it to the nonprofit organization. These programs include the Community Cupboard food pantry, Upper Valley Free Clinic, Affordable Housing, and Financial Assistance programs.

The sale represents a full-circle moment for Miethe, who previously served as the store's manager in 2020 and 2021 and has received assistance from MEND's programs. "MEND helped us, and now I get to help MEND. I managed Jubilee, and now I get to return as its owner," Miethe said. "I intend to continue to support MEND for many years."

Co-owner Hans Mulders, who operates the Obertal Inn with his wife Andrea, pointed to community support as a key factor in his investment decision. "We forget sometimes that without community, we have nothing," Mulders said, reflecting on his own experience receiving support when purchasing the Obertal Inn. "That allowed me to succeed. I want to pay that forward."

MEND Executive Director Kaylin Bettinger supported the ownership transition. "When we first considered selling Jubilee, it felt like we were closing a chapter. But talking with Kirstie and Hans showed us that this isn't an ending—it's a continuation of everything the store has always represented: community, connection, and supporting those who need it most," Bettinger said.

The store will maintain its downtown Leavenworth location and retain much of its current staff under the new ownership. The business will continue offering fair trade products sourced from global artisan communities.

Upper Valley MEND, based in Leavenworth, operates as a nonprofit organization focused on providing equitable access to food, housing, wellness, and economic security services in the Upper Valley area.