Zanzibar Trading Company

Description and review of Zanzibar Trading Company, a free-trade import company celebrating 20 years in Sacramento this year.

After 17 years in Midtown Sacramento, Zanzibar Trading Company moved to a new space on Broadway.  The relocation, due to several rent increases, was truly a blessing in disguise for fans of the small business.

The Broadway location, next door to Sunh Fish, is significantly larger that the previous shop, allowing for a greater inventory of unique specialty goods.  Additionally, there is plenty of parking – something that could not be said of the former location.  Ring the doorbell for entry.

See related blog post: Sunh Fish Company

SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)

Having visited the shop several times since it relocated, I decided it was past time to write a description and review of the business.

Zanzibar Trading Company offers a wide variety of quality hand-crafted goods from over 120 countries.  Countries include: Mexico, Tibet, Japan, India, Nepal, Kenya, Italy, Morocco and Russia.  I recommend you allow yourself sufficient time to take it all in.

The shop is well known for its large selection of rocks and crystals, if that is of interest to you. One advantage of the Broadway location is that it allows for the showcasing of goods from different counties of origin – each in their own space.  You never know what you are going to find as you wander from room to room.

Zanzibar Inventory

A few of the items I noted this last visit were:

• folk art, including a large assortment of alebrijes (brightly-colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantasy/mythical creatures, also known as “little monsters”)
• jewelry (rings, necklaces, pendants)
• fossils
• mirrors
• baskets and boxes
• incense and incense burners
• spheres
• statues and figures
• dishes, glasses, vases and teapots
• windchimes
• scarves and shawls
• greeting cards

Despite the varied inventory, the shop is well organized.  In my experience the staff is both friendly and knowledgeable.  When interested in learning about the backstory of an item for sale, I do not hesitate to ask an employee or the owner who is always glad to oblige.

To Sum Up

To sum up, Zanzibar Trading Company should be on your list of places to visit when you are in need of a unique gift or want to treat yourself to something out-of-ordinary.

Zanzibar Trading Company Snapshot (as of 2/15/2022):

• 1315 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818
• (916) 443-5601
• Days/Hours: Monday – Saturday (10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.); Sunday (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Parking Lot & Street Parking

Subscribe to SacramentoRevealed.com to receive the weekly (with an occasional hiatus) newsletter direct to your inbox!  Comments are welcome.