Long Beach's Hidden Jewel: Mumbi's Designs

By C. MacDonald

Long Beach, CA--Dazzling, intriguing and memorable, Mumbi's Designs is a store you don't want to miss visiting. Full of brightly-colored, comfortable cotton clothes, accessories and even artwork, a visit to the African cultural phenom makes you feel like you're in Kenya. It's not just the beautiful clothes but the soothing African music and charming hostess.

Mumbi Kahenya shares her African pride through incredible hand-crafted garb, including embroidered Kaftans, which make happy customers look and feel like royalty. "You'll be able to walk the walk and talk the talk while wearing the delightful threads and earrings," said Wanda Gibson of Pasadena. "It's my favorite place to shop--beautiful things at affordable prices, including sensational sandals and nice necklaces."

One of the reasons Wanda loves shopping there is because of the always smiling Mumbi, whose Kenyan grace, caring and positive attitude is contagious. "A smile is the beginning of understanding, love and respect between people of all cultures," said the shopkeeper. "Christ is in the smile we give others and it makes for a much better world."

Mumbi, whose two sons help her in the venture, achieved her lifelong dream of opening a design store seven years ago. "It's so great because I can help support the African artists who handcraft my items and I can make customers happy wearing them," said the lady, who buys much of her merchandise in Africa from the people who actually handmade it."

"In our daily rat race, it's not often you find a business owner who actually cares about you as a human being," said Julia Sifton of Long Beach. "Mumbi actually listens to me and helps me get just what I really want. Whenever I need a good gift, I always can find it here."

The "Kind Kenyan," whom some call, "Mayor Mumbi," in hopes she one day will run for the city's top spot, also offers hooded ponchos, reversible short jackets, eye-catching earrings and stunning, stylish dresses for women and sharp shirts for men and kids. There's even sensational wood-carved African human figures for sale.

One of her most popular items is the Dashiki, a lightweight shirt, made of handwoven cotton. She has neat African paintings of musicians, mamas and more. Mumbi is getting increasingly known for her African soaps and body lotions, made out of shea butter, coconut, papaya, lemon grass and tea oil.

It's no wonder she's an active member in the Long Beach-Mombasa, Kenya Sister City Association. "We have a lot in common," she said. "Both cities are important ports and it's fun to share cultures with one another." Some people learn about her business on the Internet and she gets customers in other countries, from South Africa to Norway.