Standing outside of ZIZI Boutique after work on Feb. 5, I was unaware that the co-owner would be having a quick dinner at one of the numerous restaurants inside of Karmel Mall, the Lake Street hub of many Somali and East African people in Minnesota.
The sign on the door at ZIZI instructed me to call a phone number as the employees were working in the back. I sent a text to the number and got a reply shortly after informing me that they had just left and would be back in a few minutes.
So I waited, thankful for a bit of warmer (meaning not below zero) weather. As it would turn out, my trip to ZIZI Boutique was well worth the wait.
A few minutes later, a friendly face I had seen on my walk to the store reappeared. Before my arrival at ZIZI Boutique, we had passed each other on the sidewalk and exchanged “the nod.” Acknowledging each other’s presence and the general absurdity of the world with a slight tilt of the head and a smile.
In chatting with the co-owner, Mohamed Mohamed, I learned about sizing differences in the abundance of modest garments (some things are sized according to height not circumference), his wife’s niece being the inspiration behind the name ZIZI (her niece’s nickname), and about how hard hit their business has been in the wake of the fear-ridden side effects of “Operation Metro Surge.”
Mohamed said much of the store’s customer base is East African and sales have been down by around 90%, worse, he said, than the sales drop during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Balqiis Hersi is the founder and chief designer of ZIZI Boutique. According to an article by the Lake Street Council, every piece of clothing at ZIZI is designed by Hersi.
Visiting ZIZI myself, I didn’t have a sense that this small business was being defeated. The co-owner said he was grateful for his community and mentioned a saying that encompassed how he felt.
Even though the Somali, East African, and African communities are not a monolith, “Five fingers make a fist,” Mohamed said. When we come together we are stronger.
In that spirit, I compiled the following list of East African places here in Southwest Minneapolis that you might want to add to your weekend plans. Because no matter what might be coming up for Minneapolis, we can only create long lasting change when we come together, bring our individual strengths and stories, and create a stronger community as a whole.
ZIZI Boutique, 413 W. Lake St.
A large shop of modest wear clothing that fits the bill if you’re looking to create a comfortable “matchy matchy” look of monochromatic separates. Think wide leg pants and matching jewel tone button downs for when you have to go to the office but want to feel like you’re in lounge wear and an abundance of scarves for head wraps of many styles.
You can find great additions to any closet at a price that will make you give up on H&M forever.
Liido Restaurant, 128 W. Lake St.
A small restaurant featuring big flavors. I tried the chicken suqaar, a delicious bed of aromatic rice seasoned exceptionally well with spicy chicken on top and a sweet treat of mandazi, which is lightly fried sweetened bread (think a donut but less teeth-breakingly sweet). I am looking forward to trying their anjera, a pancake-style bread. There is nothing like a warm and tasty meal whose spice list is so complex you know you’d never have made it at home.
Laina Cafe, 317 W. Lake St.
A great place to get a coffee or, even better, a highly flavorful East African tea. Don’t let the words “Sainaa Cafe” on the sign outside fool you, Laina Cafe is a delightful small space for a quick caffeine boost. The temperature of their drinks is more on the “drink right now” side as opposed to the “scald your tongue” variety. Get the Spanish latte; you will not regret it.
Muhim’s Cafe, 115 E. Lake St.
A very important cafe, literally. The name of this place is also the word for “important” in Arabic, and it’s not wrong. When I went in to grab a latte I was overwhelmed by the incredible aroma. Muhim, the owner from behind the counter, very kindly noticed my moment of aroma amor and opened up a batch of spices for me to smell. It was her own Somali tea. Her husband is trying to get her to sell it so people can make it at home. Whether that happens or not, you need to check this place out.
The lattes were great, the smell was even better, and who doesn’t need a room full of flower decor this time of year?
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