Gambia International

I've been shopping here since I was a kid and I love how everytime I'm in they still treat me like family ALL their goods are qualityyyyy and are usually very rare so that's a PLUS

I like that this store had the raw Shea butter retail and wholesale prices. They also have hand made black soap but the quantities are too large. So happy I now have a place that sells raw tortillas, whereas the grocery stores in Seattle does not. I'll keep coming to this place for my items.

I have been doing business with this man for years I love the pure raw shea butter and the soaps.The soaps are soft but keep long if you protect soap with a container and the shea butter is soft with the usual shea smell if you are familiar and can be mixed with an essential oil!! Helps wit skin conditions such as eczema.I found Gambia international after I was in a pinch and I could not order my soaps and lotion in time I needed, this led me to Gambia international and now I buy on a regular!!Located on Rainier hey after picking up some soap and Shea butter you can ease on down the road for coffee or ethnic food!!Street parking only you can pay with cash or card but I usually pay with the card.Happy shoapping!!

Love this store and the people running it. Lots of groceries options, skin care, mouth care and hair care products available. If you're a Muslim they have Islamic clothing and praying mats. They also sell herbs here for those that are into nature / natural healing. Black soap and Shea butter are also sold here!!

I came for beautiful silk hairscarfs, à Kashmir hair scarf, raw black soap (they sell it handmade in a big quantity but still an amazing value, or you can buy the big brands like Dudu Osun), and raw shea butter. A dark spot issue on my cheeks cleared up in a month. It's the real deal fragrant clumped together yellow golden shea butter, not the type that has been processed to the point of heating it so it smooths flat in the container, or refining it so it becomes whiter or less fragrant. I'll surely be returning. Don't expect the female cashiers to answer too many questions about products though, English isn't a first language and when I asked "is there a difference between your handmade black soap and Dudu Osun?" she plainly replied "I have no idea." But my previous visit, when the male owner was cashier, I was offered very respectful and informed details about the fabrics I was looking at. Also, expect random happy moments of Gambian and East African children running back and forth in the store since I believe they do some kind of school in the back building. It's an adorable sight. I haven't yet bought any food there but I saw a couple of women doing their whole grocery load there on a Saturday, so I'm sure they earn their business for the groceries.

It is extremely frustrating when foreign stores operate as if they're still back home. If you post hours, I expect you to be there when I drive all the way from Kirkland. This has happened to many times. And then if you try to call no one ever answers. I doubt it's even the right number. Luckily for me as a customer, more stores like this are popping up, and I have the option to go somewhere else. Very disappointed.