AFRICAN LAND — Local services in Durham

On January 11, 2020 my mother and I visited African Land on Guess Road in Durham North Carolina. As soon as my mother and I walked into the store we were immediately greeted by Utibe. My mother and I perused the merchandise and could not locate what we were looking for. As we were getting ready to exit the store, Utibe asked us if we were looking for anything in particular and we told him yes. We informed him that we were looking for African dresses and tops for petite women. Utibe stated that he would have some dresses and tops in the following week. My mother reported back to the store the following Wednesday to see if the new merchandise had arrived. As she entered the store she was welcomed by Utibe and he informed her that he had some dresses and tops for us to look at. Utibe showed my mother the dresses and tops in a variety of styles and asked her if she liked any of them and if she thought that I would like them. My mother informed Utibe that there were several that she liked and that I would like. She proceeded to ask Utibe if he could hold them until Saturday because I was at work and would not be returning back to Durham until Saturday. Utibe told her that he would hold them. When I reported to the store on that Saturday, I was welcomed by Utibe and he proceeded to show me the items that he was holding for me. I ended up purchasing three of the tops and three dresses that he was holding for me.

If you are looking for a store in which you can peruse without being followed, one that has an abundance of African apparel and accessories then look no further than...

I stock up every month on the oils, soaps, whipped shea butter and other products at African Land, for me and my daughter. The Dudu soap and whipped shea butter, along with eating & drinking healthy has kept my skin radiant and moist. I mix my favorite fragrance oil(s) in the whipped shea butter to use everyday as a body moisturizer. The owner, Mr Utibie is very kind and knowledgeable about the products sold out of his store. His type of customer service goes beyond benefiting from selling products-'because he also educates his consumers on the product he sells. You can say he gives "community service." Today's market as moved away from this type of service. African Land store brings a sense of "community" opposed to just selling products for profit. For me and many others, African Land is my community store. It is the community store that sells and educate "all cultures" in the Lakewood/Durham Communities on its products. I strongly recommend you stop by and see for yourself!...

I met Brother Utibe more than 15 years ago, as the result of working at a non-profit in the community. We all adopted him as a honorary family member because we immediately felt a connection with him. Even after moving to Washington, D.C., and back to Raleigh, after 8 or so years, Brother Utibe still remembered me and my first name. Seriously!

Visiting the store is like going to an uncle's or big brother's, and you always leave with something healthy and helpful in hand. Although I have purchased clothing in the past, more recently, I've purchased raw shea butter, oils, black soap and incense. During my last visit, I purchased the raw shea butter, which is whipped, smells good and is amazing! I'd rather use it as opposed to anything else on my baby bump, skin in general, and in my hair. It is also reasonably priced and lasts a long time.

Why take my word for it? Check out African Land for yourself. I KNOW you'll be...