Giraffe

This fair-​trade store has some wonderful pieces from all over the world, and the owner was very helpful in helping me find something for a dinner party. I purchased some beautiful blue napkins and grasscloth placemats, but I really had my eye on their 5-​foot-​tall hammered steel giraffe from Nairobi, Kenya. I had to come back a few weeks later. It was a real splurge, but it looks awesome in my condo. Give your place some flavor like I did, and support this Tacoma business. (They have one on Vashon Island, too, but I’m reluctant to go because I know I’ll find something to spend my money on.)

What’s not to like about these places? Giraffe has lots of well-​made items, very tasteful, lots of stuff done by hand I think. You can hit tons of antique stores and notions/​gift shops within a several-​block radius around here. This one has a few furnishings, a few gifts, lots of nice little stuff. Not really cheap, but they don’t stock any bargain-​bin items. Incredibly helpful and sweet staff. You kinda either like places like this or you don’t. I was on the hunt for a Christmas gift for my mom, and they were super helpful. Mom and her friends seem to show up here on a pretty regular basis, and the love affair is still going strong.

Giraffe is the real deal. As someone who frequents World Market and loves it but feels a little dirty buying «authentic» home décor from a huge chain, Giraffe has beautiful goods that you aren’t likely to find copies of floating around your friend’s homes.
While the selection is of course smaller, they have a great variety of small gifts, kitchenware, jewelry, bedding, furniture and even spices. In addition, the employees/​owner are incredibly helpful. My boyfriend has been there on many occasions searching for a gift for me and they’ve done an excellent job steering him in the right direction.
The Tacoma location is next door to some other awesome little shops and restaurants, so expect to have a fun shopping outing when you go.

A new home boutique has opened on St. Helens — Giraffe is a fair trade gift shop with beautiful, well priced home décor, jewelry and art.
Peggy runs this shop and is the sister of the woman who owns the original Giraffe on Vashon Island. She’s fun to talk to, laid back, local and has great taste!
They are still adding merchandise to the space, but this is what you can find so far: towels and linens, musical instruments, baskets, rugs, china, all sorts of beautiful ethnic craftwork, bead and metal jewelry — both traditional and contemporary — and some food stuffs.
The prices are great — I bought a great pair of silver hoops from Kenya, kind of double hoops with some flair, for $ 28. The baskets are well priced, starting in the low $ 20 range, and I’m definitely going back for a welcome mat made out of flip flops! Very fun and colourful, from the Philippines, and a steal at $ 26.
Definitely go in and say Hi to Peggy! This new store, with its quality goods and wonderful mission, deserves a stop!