Unan Imports

If ever you want to meet one the best person on this earth; go to Unan’s. I’ve been coming here for 5 years and it’s always a delight to meet, talk and purchase items from here! Always honest, always helpful !!! Unan always a delight to see you! You have some of the most beautiful and authentic African artifacts and supplies that have adorned my home and have been given as we’ll appreciated gifts to family and friends!!!

On Halloween, one star: The hours on the sign for Saturday say 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it was horrible trying to find a parking spot in this neighborhood. I really wanted shea buttern and had been to this place years ago. Today I saw the lights were on inside, but no one was there. I waited 30 minutes in the pouring rain to see if someone would come. I was there at 12:30. No one ever came and another customer drove up, came to the door and left within minutes. For a shop this easy-​to-​miss and with the parking the way it is, he should honor his hours. I am not coming back. I paid the parking meter for nothing. I am cold, wet and shea-​butter-​less. And he is not even answering the company phone number on the sign.
Changed to three stars: I left a voicemail message complaining about the time I wasted outside. The owner called me three times and left two messages apologizing. While I did go somewhere else and told him so, the fact that he continued to apologize and called back was somewhere between annoying and relieved that he actually cared. While I still don’t know why there was no sign left on the door, the lights were still on and the «Open» sign was turned around, I do respect that he tried to right a wrong though so i came back to this post to edit. Would I go there again? I have a nice choice of shea butter for now, but IF I go again, I will definitely double park, figure out whether it’s open and make sure someone is inside before I spend 20 more minutes driving away looking for a parking spot again. Then I may venture in.
On 11/​28/​2015: I went back to the location for one more shot (and I ran out of shea butter). Got there at noon and watched a couple peer in, shake their head and say, «Well, it is a small business.» They turned around and turned back to the location. I was baffled. Not again! Sign still says open time at 11 a.m., but the lights were out and no one was around at noon. I went to see a movie and came back at 2:20 p.m. Lights on now, but there’s a sign on the door that says someone would be back in an hour — without saying when that hour ends. I just shook my head and left. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, I’ll never go to that place again.

Also confirming the owner’s knowledge and attentiveness. My partner has eczema and the African Black Soap has really helped him, thanks to the owner’s recommendation.

Great products and great service. The owner is always willing to answer questions and help you find what you are looking for. Like everyone else who reviewed this wonderful establishment, I go for the hair and beauty products as I am Nigerian and what better place to get products that work for my hair and skin? The jewelry is also really cool as well as the décor items. I enjoy my experience here every time I go. Check him out!

Wonderful owner and excellent products! My honey has been looking all over for cocoa butter. We tried every store possible in Chicago. We were excellently surprised they carried it here! Yesterday he was able to make a homemade organic body butter with the cocoa butter we purchased from Unan and other organic ingredients. I love the outcome! I also purchased the cutest maxi dress. ;)
Highly recommend this store!

Excellent, excellent customer service. The owner is very attentive and takes his time to explain the benefits of various natural products. He talked me in to getting the Shea butter scrub and I absolutely love it. My skin feels so soft and moisturized. I also bought the Shea butter. I’m glad I found this spot. Will be coming back.

This is a solid business. The prices range from inexpensive to pricey, but pricey is for the ceremonial and traditional objects that are from long ago. This store is not only 5 stars, but has integrity; so does the owner, Dr, Alphonse Ntamere. It is always a pleasure to shop with and talk with him. You don’t find many retailers and wholesalers like Dr. Ntamere. i have lived in Rogers Park almost 25 years. I watched UNan Imports grow into larger space. I have purchased clothing, several wall hangings, mudcloth, kente cloth, dresses, musical instruments, pictures, greeting cards, incense, jewelry, beads, jewelry boxes, large and small statutes in the store and at vendor booths he or his family or staff works at the Afrikan Fest, Clark Street Festival an Malcolm X College Kwanzaa and Black History Marketplace. He is a friend and a business contact. He supports local programs in Rogers Park, even my organization BNICEH — he supported our youth programs. He has served on the Council of Elders in Rogers Park for Black History Month aka Afrikan Heritage Month and Kwanzaa. He knows the history behind every Afrikan artifact. He knows customer needs. He offers deals. I have shopped here as long as the store has been her. I live 2 doors down from his store. Not accessible. City said it could not be made accessible, but he has delivered to me, in warm weather, I have called in advance and picked things up or just rang the bell, and he brings items to the door. He has not moved his business from Rogers Park despite past vandalism of his store and economic change over the years. This is a local store with shopping and it is a family business. I feel part of his family and he part of mine. Umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-​determination), Ujima, Ujamaa, Kuumba and Imani (faith) are guiding principles from the Seven Principles of Afrikan living that keep this store going. May you find the store and Dr. Ntamere as pleasant as I did. btw, he has affordable prices on shea butter, Afrikan black soap, incense, jewelry, etc. All are not imports though he has another store in Lagos Nigeria. Some items are made here in America by jewelry artists and seamstresses. May he and his family be blessed beyond all projected sales and imagination. Unan and Dr. Ntamere deserve our support. He may even ship if you ask. I have also shopped at Afrikan stores that are more accessible, but I love Unan because of its ambience created by Dr. Ntamere as you enter or just stand or sit at the entrance. It is inviting and spiritually harmonious. Soem of teh masks look pleaseant, soem frightening, but the drums, masks, layout of cloths, jewelry, traditional clothing, and even the modern clothing transport you into a world where the customer is lavished with attention and respect. He is grateful and always thanks customers whether they are spending $ 2, $ 200 or $ 2000.

Love this place! Went in today to purchase earrings and nag champa incense. Very reasonable pricing and great variety of ethnic pieces. They have a little bit of everything; clothes, jewelry, soap, furniture, etc. Great customer service. Will definitely be going back!

Do you suffer from severe ashy skin? Shea Butter
Is your skin kinda, well, you know, not cover girl or ambi smooth? Black Soap
When you went out last Saturday night, was your jewelery game not proper? Earrings, rings, whateva!
Is your hair all kinds of wrong and you need to cover it up for the day? Yep, Hats galore.
Ooooh, I love your new condo. It’s hitting! But, it’s kinda empty! YEP, they have furniture to warm up your space.
I LOVE this place. And I had been wanting to go for a very long time. However, having lived in East Garfield Park and this place being all the way in Rogers Park and not being open on Sundays, I just couldn’t find the time. So, one day, I didn’t have to work, so I scurried on over here and was floored by the vast selection. Everything you could need to get your easy breezy on, is available here. And for very reasonable prices.
The owner is AMAZING! He’s very nice and very helpful. I was looking for a very specific pair of earrings. He went to his back room and searched and searched for these earrings, to no avail, but the fact that he even tried was very nice.
Shea Butter, Black Soap (in liquid or solid form), BEAUTIFUL jewelery, clothes, furniture, this place has it all. And much of this stuff is limited so you won’t be worried if a million people will have the same items as you. DEFINITELY worth a perusing!

I searched and searched for a location that sold Authentic African Black Soap because even though this is Chicago, unfortunately, that is not an easy thing. So. Thanks to Unilocal and my GPS system, I was able to find Unan Imports! The soap was VERY reasonable, I got the big tub for $ 10.00!!! That is SO worth the search and drive. I also picked up a tub of Cocoa Butter, I only passed on the Shea Butter because it is easier to find in the city than the other two and I already had some at home. The clerk was very helpful and nice. Unan had a nice collection of African attire and jewelry, if you are looking for that and YES I would come back again and again for the Soap, Butters, and oils.

I love this store as well. The shea butter, perfume oils, and HEM brand incense (which I can’t seem to find anywhere else in the city) really do it for me. It’s also where I go for cheap thrill jewelry. The owner is cool and personable but never overbearing.

I love this store and the owner.
Since the north side lacks African or Caribbean imports, this is my go-​to shop for natural shea butter. I wish the owner sold different varieties of oils, otherwise I would do all my hair shopping at this place.
Besides my precious shea butter, you’ll find lots of African-​related clothing, jewelry, body care, and more. If you have any questions, the owner is very helpful and will recommend anything regarding your needs.

Very unique store. I was searching online to purchase black soap locally and was quite pleased to find that I can. It was not easy to find, but after weeks I found a blog where someone mentioned this store and the sale of black soap. So I trekked over on a Saturday afternoon with the whole fam and we spent an hour browsing the little store. The owner makes craft jewelry so I bought my kids a bunch that they loved.
The store sells a variety of black soaps independently packaged by owner, as well as other organic soaps made by Nubian Heritage and Dudu Oson. There are also tubs of Shea Butter for sale, in addition to body oils, castor oil, and other oils I can’t remember by name. Hats, not sports ones, are also for sale for men and women. They are very casual and classic in style. Then there are scarves, cultural African clothing, masks, instruments, and so much more that I probably didn’t get to see while I was focused on buying what I went there for.
The black soap is absolutely worth the trip there and I will be back. We do not use any other soap becuase this black soap has been so effective in cleansing, as well as eliminating skin issues, especially my two teens acne problems.
A great find in Rogers Park.

I just purchased a beautiful African mask from the Ivory Coast from this dealer. This store has a wide selection of masks, carvings, traditional clothing, and textiles to choose from. The quality of the items is just outstanding and the owner provides welcoming, friendly service. Prices range from the reasonable to the slightly more expensive, but the artwork for sale is truly worth the price.

Great small business, and the owner is extra helpful and professional. I was searching for raw shea butter in Chicago. I went here to purchase some shea butter, and this store has a great selection. I purchased 2lb of raw shea butter, but he also had smaller sizes starting at $ 5. Great price, and great quality. Store also carries black soap, and a great selection of jewelry accessories, very unique and cute hats. If your in Chicago and looking for shea butter, or unique fair trade accessories go here!

Best & beautiful earrings that are inexpensive & culturally stylish! As others have said you can cheaply purchase pure, unrefined shea butter, and also for sale is black soap, incense, oils, crafts. I love the clothing — features both ethnic fashion and some nice western labels. Keywords: very affordable. The owner or his daughter is always there, always accommodating & always welcoming.
Tip: There’s unmetered street parking out front on Sheridan but no parking from 4 – 6 p.m. for rush hour.

For Real. All different kinds of African imports from black African soap, which by the way, is perfect for acne prone skin. A whole tub for $ 10. yes, ten bucks and the stuff lasts like 6 months. Next time I am getting the shea butter scrub because they didn’t have a smaller jar than the $ 20 and I could not justify spending that much even though it was worth it and would have lasted probably an entire year…
They have all kinds of free trade items, cute costume jewelry with an ethnic flair and also authentic clothing. Coupled with sandals and statues and furniture, this store has a little bit of everything. All tastefully displayed and inexpensive.
Love. Love.

Cool store full of African imports and such. Owner is very friendly. The shea butter is great for the winter.

I just saw today that this place is starting to carry fair trade items — yay! Definitely a place to check out. The owner is very friendly!

This place is a gallery of beautiful African crafts. I have found some amazing gifts here.