This is my second time coming by to get my waist beads done here! I am so happy to have my new beads added they just added to the cuteness of my old beads! I'm loving these! I even had enough left over for an anklet! I really love this new location I have not been back since they moved from their Bay Street location 2 years ago. I am going to have to come back again now that they have better parking which makes it easier for me to want to shop around! The prices are very reasonable and the customer service is top notch!! read more

Arts Africains - My anklet beads! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

This store has some very amazing pieces that reflect African art from around the world. I am particularly fond of their book section. While books are seasonal the small collection that they had were quite engaging and rare finds. This store has been here as long as I can remember. Seasonal gifts are available as the years roll on. Be sure to stop in and show your support. read more

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Lovely store with amazing products, fabrics, jewelry, accessories and more that are all from Africa. I was able to pick up a pair of cute earrings, pure shea butter and African black soap. read more

Thank you Mohamed! Mali owned and operated! First time going to this store and learned a bit about the culture, the history and origins of this location. Bought a dashiki and some accessories and will definitely be coming back. Highly recommend. Amazing customer service and quality of pieces in the store. Tell a friend to tell a friend. Sincerely, Jojo read more

I loved my experience at Arts Africains. My cousin and her fiance brought me to the store to look for fabrics for an upcoming wedding. I was there to support and also did some shopping on my own. I loved how the store smelled! I bough 15 incense, mango shea butter, cuffs for my braids, and black soap. Everything was under $40. I absolutely love the quality of the shea butter! I also love how fragrant the incense are! The customer service was top tier. Aichia is the store owner and she was there to answer all of our questions. She also plans on doing a special order for fabric to accomodate my cousin's wedding. I will definitely be returning here for more high quality products and jewelry from Africa! read more

I didn't know this store existed. I happen to be walking by and I could smell the incense and some of the jewelry and bracelets caught my eye so I walked in, and there was a lot of wonderful things. I ended up buying some roll on oil perfume and some earrings for a friend. The guys were really friendly at the counter and I even had them help me pick out some earrings for my friend by showing them a picture of her. The energy in there was really good and you could tell that they were really happy to be there that they enjoyed working with people and that they loved their store. Definitely going to go back to get more things. read more

Arts Africains - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

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My daughter in law had waist beads and I thought they were really cute so when we got to Oakland she took me to this store. The lady who helped us was super knowledgeable and friendly. My daughter-n-law has a relationship with her so it was nice for the two of them to catch up. So far I am enjoying my waste beads, they help me be mindful of how much I am eating. read more

Arts Africains - Store front - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

BEWARE SCAMMERS ‼‼ On November 19, 2022 I purchased 4 waist beads for $15 each the total was $66.30. A few days later I noticed a charge to my credit card for $6630.10! I immediately disputed the charge with my bank and sent in my original receipt however this company created a fake receipt and sent it to the bank. The fake receipt only said "custom" and did not show any details of what was allegedly purchased for $6k. I escalated to the bank and they immediately noticed major discrepancies between my original receipt and the merchants fake receipt and are starting a new investigation with their senior fraud investigators. If you must shop here pay in CASH and keep a copy of your original receipt forever! read more

Arts Africains - Original receipt for my purchase - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

I was searching for a gift for a friend's 70th birthday and found this place after an internet search. It had two different addresses on Yelp, so I called. The guy who answered the phone (Dominic) said they're located at 5755 Christie in Emeryville. This place is amazing! Lots of fabulous inventory from all over the continent. I found a beautiful necklace at an affordable price. Shoutout to Dominic and Arts Africains. My only complaint? They should relocate closer to my home in Oakland. read more

Arts Africains - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

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This store is beautifully. I love the shea butters, they have oils, and traditional clothing. Staff friendly and the music had me dancing the whole time I was shopping. This place is a must to visit you won't be disappointed. read more

I have been a customer since 2012. The only place I buy my Shea butter. Tangerine is my absolute favorite. I have turned on five family members who now also love tangerine, strawberry and mango. The black soap, coconut oil, and raw Shea butter are just a few of the amazing things you can find here. I have a cowrie, necklace, and, real wood giraffe statues. I must grab a chess set before the month is over. A pillar in the community! I highly recommend. Such an amazing store. Feels like home! read more

The address is actually 5755B but the parking is much better here. I ALWAYS get the shea butter here. 10/10 !

Three of my friends, ranted and raved about this store, so I had to check it out! As we walked closer, you could smell all the beautiful, incense, and not overwhelming, but a pleasant smell! They had lotions, essential oils, and sage bundles within the store, as well as handcrafted, jewelry, hats, clothes, as well as fabric and purses!! Something for everyone!! I love the African culture and all the stories that go along with it! The lady that was in the store had a beautiful accent as well, and she was incredibly helpful in showing us how certain items fit such as a necklace, and where it should lay on your body. I definitely recommend this store!!! read more

Arts Africains - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

Very great customer service love and great products ....ill support them no matter where they go read more

Arts Africains - New location will open May 1st they have the absolute best items and they are full of love - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

Only place I buy African Black soap from! The shit is the best thing soaping on my mama! And the staff feels like family!

The African American museum is always an enjoyable experience. I love looking at the historical aspects as well as the point of view the artists is trying to relate to its audience. read more

Walking into the store is like walking into a museum. The arrangement of the items is art in itself. Pure joy.

Everything in this shop is just sooo beautiful! Colorful African fabrics and goods of all kinds decorate the walls and mannequins; I wanted to buy everything as I browsed everything they had to offer. Aya was super sweet and friendly, and had us dancing along with her because she had such great vibes! She warmly greeted anyone who walked in the door and had an amazing, contagious energy. If your skin needs some extra moisture, I recommend trying some of their shea butters! The scents are amazing and work really well. I haven't even been using it a full 24 hours but I already notice a difference! I. Am. In. LOVE!!! read more

NEW LOCATION!! Art Africains moved to 5755 Christie Avenue, in Emeryville in the POWELL STREET PLAZA, where Trader Joe's, Ross, Marshall's, Burger King, Wells Fargo Bank, Chase Bank, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Banana Repubic, Togo's, etc., are located. Arts Africains opened at this new location on May 1, 2024. It's in an easy-to-park location. Check out this beautiful new location. The store brings Africa to Emeryville!! read more

I no longer live in the Bay Area however the Shea butter I got from here is unmatched !it was literally the only thing I put on my body for YEARS! I was so pleased when the website supposedly came back online however when I just tried to go to their site TODAY it said the site was not safe, I called the store to give them a heads up and hopefully place an order and no one answered and the voice mailbox was full! Please fix the website I NEED my Shea butter! Everything in this shop is quality and authentic! When I got my waistbeads I got a full lesson on how to wear them, the colors and what they represent are all listed on the walls, the fabrics are absolutely beautiful, jewelry great, incense smell amazing, artifacts truly gems themselves they got everything right...except the website I beg you please fix it I'm ready to shop online ! read more

I have been customer for over 15 years but when I visited the store March 17,2024 it was closed. Please update me if they moved to a different area? Thanks read more

This has been my favorite shop in the Bay Area for over 15 years. They have the best shea butter hands down- I love mango the best. The owner Aya is very welcoming and she is usually bumping African beats which creates a nice vibe and energy in the shop. There is a huge inventory of masks, mud cloths, scarfs, wax print fabric, bags, jewelry, clothing...that is forever growing. This is one of the few authentic non corporate chain shops you can find at Bat Street in Emeryville! Check them out - you will not be disappointed. read more

This place has absolutely beautiful African art and clothing. While it's not cheap, the prices seem fair for the quality. I guessed the price of an African pullover shirt to the dollar and the design was mesmerizing. Staff gave me information about garment care when I asked, so expect they will be helpful. read more

What a wonderful shop! My husband and I love it. He got a few tops for his graduation and me a beautiful head wrap. Definitely recommend this shop. read more

Arts Africains - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

This place is nice it has LOTS of options and varieties. The oils are not as strong but the butters are amazing! They have a lot of nice waist beads BUT they cost $15 a pop and only last about 4days then they break which is odd because TRUE African waist beads DO NOT break off easily, you must cut them off!! The smaller woman did 2 for my daughter and 3 for me which one of both broke already. She argues with you about where and how you want your beads, I told her I wanted my beads tighter for my weight loss journey. She told me "I know what I'm saying, girls always come back wanting me to do it over and I charge them for resizing so let me do it!" I said "Ok" now they hang soo low in the front that it's hard to pull my pants down without tugging them. I wouldn't recommend getting your waist beads here. read more

Arts Africains - Waist beads 5x bigger than my waist! I told her I wanted it tighter! SMH. - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

Bay Area If you have not patronized this business @ArtsAfricains please do so. Sista Queen Aya is a beautiful Spirit. Outstanding Customer Service. #tcxpi read more

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The rating and previous review still remain the same. The only update is a change of address. I thought the Arts Africains was gone from the Bay Street shopping area, as I did not see it while heading to another retail business. Their new address is: 5644 Bay Street, Emeryville, directly across the street from their former location of 5641 Bay Street. My husband and I stopped by in their new location. We purchased a bottle of Egyptian musk, a jar of Shea butter and incense. The store carries a nice selection of African clothing, accessories (jewelry, purses), soaps, etc. Some of the items may be a tad overpriced, but still a great place to browse and shop. Customer service: Pleasant and helpful owner. She was engaging in conversation. Return trip: Yes. With the upcoming holiday season approaching, show some love and support a minority business owner. read more

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What is there not to love about this beautiful establishment! I've been a customer for over 6 years and I've always had a pleasant experience when coming in to shop. Aya is always pleasant, smiling, very welcoming and has the motherland jams on every time and I'm here for it! You can't help but to move your body to the beats. A few of my favs are the shea butter, body oils and jewelry! Be sure to stop in and support! read more

Arts Africains - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

this place is amazing. I have so many unique things the customer service. It's outstanding. Can't wait to go agien

I was gifted the tangerine Shea butter and have never experienced anything close to it Now, I'm back today to purchase the same for family members read more

Loved the jewelry I received. Woman was extremely helpful and kind to me and my partner. Can't wait to go back!

I have been a long time customer of this establishment. In addition to my own items that I come back for over and over again I also rely heavy on them for my gift giving. They have authentic merchandise and the staff is helpful and kind. If you haven't already done so stop by and see them!! Love u Araya!!!! read more

I wanted to find something to buy for a friend and drive out here for this store particularly. I found out he got married and I wanted something for his African roots. When I walked in I wasn't greeted but I took it upon myself to look around because the lady was on the phone talking to family/friends. When I asked a question because I needed help finding a gift. It felt more like it was being shooed away. I was asked what are you looking for? What do you want? Not in a friendly let me help you way. I just let her be since I was the only person there and she wanted to finish her conversation with her family instead. Never coming back. Also just an fyi they do not have Nigerian items they have items from more so one particular region of Africa. read more

We came across this shop while walking around the outdoor mall in Emeryville. It's pretty big for a specialty boutique and is filled with a lot of art, clothes, jewelry, and other odds and ends. Great place to buy raw shea butter, Coco butter, and coconut oil. It's all organic and comes in 2 or 3 different sizes and different scents. Customer service could be better. Call me old fashion, but if I owned a shop I'd great my customers as they come in or at least acknowledge they're there. Both times I've come there was the same woman sitting in the back watching movies while people come in and out. She'll talk to you if you have a question or if you're making a purchase, but outside of that she stays in the back. Despite that it's still a cool place to check out read more

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I went to visit this store last Sunday with my best friend. I always but the oils and shea butter, but this time the service was unbelievable. We were greeted by a woman who was at the counter and she with a customer but she kept looking at me. Fine. The issue came when I was at the oils table and there was an oil I wanted but I couldn't smell due to the ball being dry. I slightly rolled it and from across the room the woman yelled " AYE" " YOU CANNOT DO THAT!" While ringing up the lady she's been at the counter with for 10 mins. I replied I'm going to buy it I just couldn't smell it. She replied well how am I supposed to know! I then said maybe you should have asked if we needed help. Mind you there is no sign that states to not touch nor are there samples to try. By this time I got my oils and shea butters in my hand and ready to purchase but she was still with that woman and watching me. Finally I get to purchase and I asked if I can use Apple Pay she said sure then proceeded to ask for my card. But when my white friend was ready to purchase she was sweetly greeted and when she paid she asked to use Apple Pay and the lady didn't hesitate to ask for her card! So I asked the woman why did you let her use Apple Pay and not me? The woman said O no it's just quicker with card but my friend transaction was the same amount of time as mine. While the woman tried to explain I ignored her and when we walked out my friend stated she never experienced that before and she was shock that this was coming from a black woman. I was upset but I thought I should let this business know what happened. I actually work in the mall and come to buy oils and shea butter all the time but not anymore. read more

Appreciated the patience shown to me as I purchased my first set of African waist beads. The store is well stocked and definitely accessible. read more

I am completely disgusting by the woman who runs this shop. My sister struggled with depression for years and when she finally left her house she unfortunately stumbled upon this sorry excuse for a human. This woman told my sister she "needs to stop eating" because she needs to lose weight. Then tries to hide her rude comment behind the death of her husband. I just want you to know you are very fortunate I was not present when you fixed your mouth to say that to my sister. God tried to humble you once and you should have changed your ways then. read more

Once again I had an AMAZING experience at this shop. My mother enjoyed all the items from my previous visit, so it was only right to come back and see what else I could find. The owner is the sweetest woman ever and once again suggested some great items that definitely had to buy. Highly recommend stopping by this shop for any unique gift ideas!! read more

Arts Africains - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Emeryville, California

My go to store for beads! They lost hella long time without breaking. I had mine on for almost two years! Aya always puts them in and she's by far the best. Always in a good mood and great customer service. They're a little bit pricey but definitely worth it. read more

Love this store.. Strolling by and went in. Beautiful items in the store. The Shea butters smell amazing!! I love the tangerine Shea butter. They had a great selection of pretty body/waist beads. The beautiful women who owns the store put the beads on for me and burned them in place. Great customer service. Definitely check this store out. Bring extra money for the Shea butters (strawberry, mango, tangerine, coconut oil, black soap.. Everything smells awesome! read more