African Outlet (The), San Francisco

Co-owners Horgan H. Edet and Judah Dwyeb not only fill their little Hayes Valley shop with a huge amount of treasures from Africa, but they are also happy to educate their customers on each item's history and origin. The store deals strictly with authentic imported goods, including fabrics, beads, art, shoes, garments, ceremonial and ritual costumes, antiques, musical instruments, and more. It's also a place where many people in the Bay Area go to rent traditional African garb for productions, parades and special occasions.