Zanzibar Trading

I remember a few years ago when I loved visiting Zanzibar. Their selection of items was always changing and it was lots of fun seeing what new items they had. The past few years has not been that way and have left me very disappointed. But if that was the only downside I would give them a three-​four stars. It’s their employees. When we went in last Saturday I was walking around when the lady at the front of the store came up to me and said «your purse is open» to which I responded to «yes, I always keep it open.» She rudely informed me that this is a closed purse store. They must have a terrible problem with people stealing but I felt that they were just watching me and making sure I didn’t steal anything. Their attitude made me leave promptly and I will never be coming back. It’s just not inviting anymore.

Super friendly place to find unique fairly traded items. Guaranteed you’ll find something you like!

Super knowledgeable and friendly staff and lots of unique and high quality gifts! Every piece has a story and the staff generally know not only where the piece came from, but who made it, when, and out of what. Everything is fair trade and and sourced by the owner who travels to meet the artists. The shop is on the expensive side but you get the sense that that you are paying for good quality. They will also do beautiful gift wrapping free of charge (and without tacky store logos all over). My only complaint would be that the staff is a little over eager to share the history of all the pieces which can become annoying when you are just browsing, but it’s nice to have that kind of attention when you are serious about buying something in particular.

This is beautiful blend of all different kinds of countries and religious beliefs. Although not a religious store, you will find something for all different walks of life. I find it fun and intriguing just to see all the different types of trinkets and beautiful stones they carry.
I was in the store looking for a gift for my sister. I found the perfect gift! A beautiful scarf handwoven. And I feel a sense of peace knowing it came through means of fair trade and I’m helping support small business.
I wish there were more stores like this on that strip along L Street. However, if you happen to eat at one of fine restaurants in the area, be sure to stop here as well. It’s full of magic and wonder. And don’t forget to check out Art of Toys down the block. Also, a very fun find!
The staff is absolutely fantastic about answering any questions. The store owner is a well of information when it comes to the origin of each piece and what it represents. They also are still offering complimentary wrapping. I feel like this is the best gift I’ve ever been able to give to my sister. It’s so perfectly wrapped, I feel tinkled pink just to see her expression when she receives it!
Happy exploring in Zanzibar!

great items and unique
staff Jason, had condescending attitude
not first time either
take some of the fun out of the experience

I live around the corner and have been here at least half a dozen times in the last 3 years, never disappointed. There’s something here for everyone. I come here for Christmas gifts, wedding gifts, birthday gifts, you name it. Getting a gift from here, you have to really think about it, because there’s so much to choose from.
My only gripe was when I came in with my sister a few days ago, I felt over-​greeted by the staff. One girl felt the need to constantly tell me about every region of the store for every turn or twitch in that direction I made. It was kinda difficult to concentrate and unfortunately we left the store. I was telling my sister, that the girl was annoying the sh*t out of me and I couldn’t think. I knew before coming in what I was going to get, my budget on the gift $ 35 – 75; just this chick kept buggin’ the crap out of me. So i ended up leaving, buying my friend a $ 20 beanie from Arden instead.
But overall, I’ve had so many great memories created from this place, that there’s nothing any staff member could do to change that. I ended up coming back in last night and buying gifts for someone else. An mature lady was working and she was super helpful. Made my night literally. I was looking for some dog figurines and I found something I guarantee I wouldn’t find anywhere else. It was an incense burner fashioned into a chiseled sculpture of a dog. This gift was for someone who’s dog just passed away and I was really impressed with the owner’s attention to detail and referring me to a stack of cards specifically made for dog owner’s with passing dog.
I will definitely be back before Christmas.
Thank You

I went to the store twice. If I was rating on my first visit, there would have been five stars. I made a purchase, very nice. I asked about musical item, she didn’t think they had any. Another clerk was able to help. Made a purchase. Decided to go back on another day. This time I dealt with the owner. I used a credit card. I was making conversation about merchant asking for an ID. I had heard on the news there were restrictions on about asking. I was met with anger. «You could just pay cash. This is because the credit card companies want to make more money.» His information on the charges he paid for credit use is incorrect. I would have made another visit, but with an attitude, I’m done. He could have said to me, «I haven’t heard of this, I will have to look into to that. Thank you for the information. I want my identity protected, but sometimes the thief is someone working for a merchant. I just wish I wouldn’t have had been met with a negative attitude.

Great customer service. Really took the time to help and gift wrapping. Pricey but unique and fun antiques. Good one time gifts.

No planes or car require but TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD in a gift shop? Your at the right place!
In this shop you win find one of a kind of ARTWORK. Each Artwork is handmade by an artist. Each gift is guaranteed UNIQUE.
As soon you walk in you will see lots of stones and next thing you know you will be shining bright like a diamond from the stone reflections. Yes the stones are rare and expensive! Each individual artwork or stone has a price marked, after looking at the price tag; you will realize to move like a snail inside the gift shop. You break you pay. Just be careful, look left and right and behind you first cuz your surrounded with all fragile artwork lol.
I love how they have a brief description on what and where the item is from. As well describing what kind of good fortune the item brings and the price is marked clearly.
One thing that i really liked was this artist in THAILAND and she handmade some flowers and every purchase you make it helps out an organization back in Thailand. I think this is doing a good deed for both artist and us customers.
They also have feature artists from around the world to come into the shop and do a demonstrations of how they make their artwork. They can even sign the artwork too and you get to meet and greet for no extra cost. This time i went in they have this talented artist from MEXICO hand making sculptures from potatoes mixed with other ingredients then paint them with acrylic and the artwork comes out amazing!
Overall if i am searching for a unique gift for a SPECIAL OCCASION or for someone who likes unique artwork, this is the place that will spark up in my mind first. The people who work here are very knowledgable and can answer all your questions about the particular piece of artwork. They are knowledgable because they travel around the world searching for the cool and unique stuff and bringing it back to the USA to share with everyone who is fascinated with creative pieces. I am amazed how this shop isn’t to big but it can fit so much artwork display on the walls and tables too. Thanks for reading and lets go explore the world without taking a step out of the 916.

As an artist, it’s always a rush of inspiration to walk through this store. I can truly get lost in the beauty of all the products. Service is knowledgeable and helpful.

AUTHENTICITY IS NOT A QUESTION. This store is awesome. Beautiful Fair Trade art of all sizes and origins. Owners are attentive and intelligent about their business. I have purchased pieces for years and will continue to keep this boutique in my back pocket for unique worldly collectibles. For those not as fortunate to travel abroad this is a perfect outlet for sweet finds.

The perfect place for unique gifts. I’ve been in here a few times since moving to the neighborhood, but recently came by looking for something specific for a wedding gift. I found a beautiful pair of large wooden salad tossers with mother of pearl handles and the folks here told me about the artisans who made the piece, and also gift wrapped them in beautiful paper so I was ready to go.
I appreciate the helpful folks who work here, the variety of beautiful trinkets from across the globe, and of course, the fair trade support. They have items for everyone’s taste, truly. You could shop for your catholic grandma and buddhist aunt in the same shop. Or, like me, if you want to find the perfect gift for someone with eclectic or elegant taste, this is the place for you.

I bought this really cool yarn there made out of recycled saris from Nepal. Because of the rough nature of it, it was hard to work with, but when I finally figured it out, the scarf I crocheted was awesome! My mother really loved it. I’d never have found that awesome yarn fi not for Zanzibar Trading!
Thanks Josh, for keeping really interesting stock!

Zanzibar is absolutely top-​notch! The store is neatly arranged, yet compact. Not a good place for toddlers as they could wreck some imported goods.
My partner and I strolled in here while on a weekend trip in Midtown and loved it! I actually went to purchase an Evil Eye, not knowing the store has a $ 10 minimum. The ship owner was so sweet and offered to let me pay him back on my next visit. Since I’m from Chico and don’t visit often, I declined and instead found more things to buy!
My lady is a huge fan of calacas, so she was in heaven at Zanzibar. They really have so many fun and unique items to browse or purchase. This is a great store for gifts.
The employees were friendly and helpful. Go check this place out if you’re in Midtown!

There are a lot of nice things here, and I have purchased several in the past, but I won’t be back. I’ll be buying elsewhere from now on.
Was just in there, there were several other shoppers also. There were some items that I was interested in, I took off the wall carefully & checked prices. Suddenly the back door opens, Mr Owner walks out, all cocky-​like, spouting off if you have any questions or want to know any prices, ask him! The turd must’ve been watching me on his close circuit camera, what a jerk. There were a couple of things that I was going to buy. I looked around a bit more, but I was so turned off by this dude, I headed for the door. So pompous.
This was my 2^nd encounter with him; the last time that I was there, he had an air of arrogance & I did not enjoy our conversation.
I recently told a friend about this shop, I’m letting her know not to bother going in.
Guess he must be doing really well here to act as he does, but he won’t be getting any more of my money.
The 2 stars are for the great inventory here, I hesitantly give them.
By the way, if you don’t want customers touching your items, post the prices where we can see them! Sheesh.

Awesome little store with so many awesome little things and very friendly — knowledgable staff — yes, ask the one guy anything! I swear he might even know the purpose of life! If you want to learn something for the day, this is a good place to go… and buy a little fair trade something!

Just left Zanibar and the store is really cool since a lot of the stuff is from Mexico just like the décor in my house. The lady walking around the store was really nice and helpful. However, one of the owners is a total jerk. We had a question about what something was made of. From behind the counter he says «I don’t know I can’t see it from here. It clearly says it on the package.» Keep in mind he just told us let them know if we have any questions 30 seconds before. A simple «oh I’m not sure let me take a look» would have worked.
Long story short I won’t be coming back.

Zanzibar is my go to store for gifts for any occasion really. They have an incredible selection on unique and fascinating objects curated from trips the owners take all over the world. Everything there has it’s own story. And they work directly with a lot of artisans who’s goods they carry. A good variety of price ranges as well.
I LOVE Japanese incense (not a lot of smoke, but great fragrance), and they carry the best selection in Sacramento that I’ve seen. I try to visit a couple times a month just to see what’s new.

Zanzibar is such a lovely shop. So many gorgeous and neat things.
The staff is always helpful and knowledgeable. Which is pretty impressive, considering how much they know about every item in the store.
I’ve only been coming here for a couple years, and really like this shop.
I love the selection of jewelry, and how the jewelry is grouped by the stone. It makes me want so much to see a case full of beautiful amber jewelry, and the amethysts. And the scarfs are just beautiful.
I have bought gifts, décor for my place including a lovely little Egyptian glass perfume bottle, cards, stones, candles, and jewelry here. This is the kind of store I come to when I want to buy something special for someone special. Though to confess, that person is usually myself.
The products they sell aren’t super cheap (especially the gorgeous jewelry), but the quality of the items are good, and because it’s a fair trade store– the items can’t be Walmart cheap. If fair trade is important to you, you can certainly feel better about shopping at Zanzibar.
If I win the lotto or when get richer, I would love to decorate a whole room with items from Zanzibar.
Not everything item sold at Zanzibar is my style, but there are so many items, it’s hard to not find something you love.

While the people here were friendly (kind of… I also felt like they were hovering over me as if I was about to steal something), I was rather unimpressed with a lot of the wares. It seemed to be full of random imports that are quite pricy for what you get. Everything had a story… who knows if it’s the real story… but it sounds good. There was also a section of stuff billed as «made by local artists» but a fair amount of that stuff resembled the kind of things I’ve seen down in Mexico selling for significantly less. So I’m not doubting the authenticity, but yeah… I don’t see what’s so great about this place.

I just traveled to 10+ countries without stepping foot at the airport! If you love souvenirs and those one of a kind, interesting gifts, this is the place!
I had about a half an hour left on the meter when I stumbled upon this place walking around midtown. Midtown, has a bad reputation with me, since I’ve received tickets here. I’ve passed by this place on several occasions, and Damn, I could kick myself for doing that! Once inside, you are in what I feel, is a world market. Not like the big chain stores, but one that is more intimate, and you truly feel the passion and dedication from the employees that work there. They are fair trade and you don’t have that sense of guilt buying something which was made in a sweatshop. Some of the items we looked at were made in a women’s shelter in Kenya and Thailand. There are gifts here for anyone from 2– 100!
The female employee was so helpful and knowledgeable, we really felt as if she was more of a friend. She did warn me that I wasn’t allowed to take pictures here, so there goes my 10+ pictures I wanted to add to my collection. She was really discreet, and didn’t make sure that I deleted the pics, like some businesses. Don’t worry, I won’t post them! But oh, do I wish I could share them!
The pieces are all handcrafted by artisans from the world over. Those pieces range from items which are as tiny as little clay three legged «good luck» pigs to small cabinets from Thailand. Everything in here is unique and there is so much intricate detail to everything. The prices ranged from $ 3 to $ 500, don’t quote me, but the $ 500 was the price of a cabinet.