|
|
 |
|
||
| Two days after Christmas, with empty boxes and wrapping paper still piled around my Christmas tree at home, I met Lu Spaine, owner of a store called Zumi. I then proceeded to seemingly take a trip around the world in colors and textures and art. Zumi offers a unique shopping experience in the Des Moines area. As Lu and I visited and strolled through her store, she hummed along to familiar Christmas carols. These songs were unique in their tone and instrumentation, and were my first example of the cultural diversity you can find at Zumi. Zumi is located at 1141 42nd Street. Tucked neatly into a freestanding building on the corner of 42nd and University Avenue, Zumi offers home décor, gifts, accessories, and clothing. Lu recounts that she opened Zumi just about 10 years ago, and she has been happily serving her customers and vendors from around the world ever since. Though the actual store is not large, Lu has managed to incorporate a variety of goods within its walls and on its walls. I think they are displayed beautifully, with each individual piece being highlighted. Like others may have done upon visiting, I continued to discover something I had missed in my first and second passes through the store. Lu is most proud of her work in helping to bring products to the public that are directly involved with Fair Trade organizations, as well as other products from developing countries. “Fair Trade” describes those companies that work with various organizations to assure that their workers are paid fairly for their labor. They also guarantee that their workers will have safe working conditions. About 40 to 45% of Lu’s inventory comes directly from Fair Trade organizations. Other products that she carries are purchased from other organizations, businesses, and individuals in developing countries. These are countries that focus on selling their native handiwork for the betterment of their people, Lu says. She takes her role in this distribution of goods very seriously. She knows the history of each piece well, and she is quick to point out the beauty and craftsmanship of many individual articles in her inventory. “Walk with me and let me show you around the store and tell you about my products,” Lu tells me. And so the tour begins. Lu strives to have a good mix of products, and she believes this sets her apart from other stores, she says. Her home décor and gift items are plentiful, and each one is unique to its home country. She shows me a rolled-paper nativity set from Vietnam, as well as small boxes from the same rolled-paper process; a painted teak turtle, which feels like fabric to the touch; thumb pianos, which anyone can play and create interesting and soothing sounds; Kisii soapstone sculptures, which make wonderful wedding gifts, Lu says; and a box made completely out of cloves, which is a treat for your senses, Lu mentions, pointing out the time and detail that was involved in its creation. Next she proudly pulls out sweaters (washable and chic, in my opinion) and scarves and sarongs that are from India and Indonesia. (Lu asks: “Who doesn’t love using scarves this season for warmth or that extra something that pulls your favorite outfit together?”). Lu continues with purses from Nepal, embroidered T-shirts, silk shirts from India, and soft fleece in unusual styles and colors. There are also tie-dyed shirts. I found them to be hip with a new attitude, and they are easy to care for unlike their 1960s counterparts. There are also adorable hand-knitted stuffed animals—a lion, giraffe, and zebra—that I bet any child would love to hug. They are from a women’s cooperative in Kenya. There are Divine chocolates, teapots, and Fair Trade greeting cards from Africa. There is also jewelry from Southeast Asia, amber from the Baltic, silver bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings from Africa, Mexican Silver, and lovely beaded belts. I found each article to be more interesting and lovely than the last. Lu considers herself lucky to be part of the neighborhood in which Zumi is located. She has a number of regular clients, but new customers are always discovering her little shop. Others seem to rediscover it all over again every time they visit. After our tour of her shop, Lu shared with me her December newsletter, which was full of community events in Des Moines throughout the month, as well as a number of charitable opportunities. These included events and other mentions of Mercy Corps, the American Red Cross, Children’s Safe Drinking Water, and the St. Bernard Project, which focuses on helping people from St. Bernard’s parish in Louisiana. Lu later e-mailed me additional Web sites to check out, which are all focused on Fair Trade and/or providing information from countries involved in working for their native people and trades. It seemed obvious to me during my visit with Lu that she throws herself into her business and believes she has a responsibility to bring visibility to her vendors and their mission. She says Zumi is a testament to her passions: both her eye for fine quality, and her desire to be an important part of the process of helping to spotlight different ethnic groups and the countries from which they hail. Joan Middleton, a frequent customer of Zumi, says, “Shopping with Lu is such a pleasure! She always has interesting items, as well as beautiful clothing in the shop. I have yet to walk out of her lovely shop empty-handed.” Joan adds, “Her prices are fair and frequently benefit groups from other countries. She is a fabulous woman offering, as she says, a ‘diverse shopping experience.’” Lu’s business card for Zumi states, “Where culture inspires fashion.” For me, my morning of shopping with Lu was just that kind of experience. Lu managed through Zumi to treat my senses with a variety of colors and the feel of beautiful fabrics and knits. She also helped to broaden my world with her knowledge of the vast number of products she displays and her ability to share information on their history and creation. I think it’s great to know that we can shop locally and purchase from a wealth of gift items and clothes, while also being assured that our purchases may be helping others. You might want to give Zumi a try the next time you’re looking for something unique and want to break out from the ordinary. |
Zumi |
||
|
