UNA Center

What a wonderful store in which to browse and spend....all for a good cause. All kinds of exotic jewelry, carvings, musical instruments, clothing, cards, etc. They even have Day of the Dead items and singing bowls.The ladies are wonderful and helpful and the store is chocked full of gift ideas from around the world. The next time you go to Bookman's, drop in and check this wonderful shop out.

Take Me Around the World....Well at least to the far east side of Tucson to UN Center/UNICEF store. I personally think this is the best kept secret in Tucson as far as finding unique, one-of-a-kind gifts to present to that person who has everything or who is quite cultured.Not only do they sell jewelry they sell anything you would typically find in a gift store but these items have been made in different places around the world or at least made by materials found from different places around the world. You can find kimonos, African attire, hand beaded jewelry from Guatemala, etc. They have fabrics that would do justice for any high style Southwestern home.Hours of operation are limited because the people running the shops are often retirees who volunteer their time. Also, a percentage of the sales goes to support the local and national United Nation program. I love the shop because the people running it are often ladies who have traveled or know a great deal about jewelry on their own. I once referred to a bracelet as being Native American and I was immediately corrected as to its true origin of Africa, just like a true teacher ( just because these ladies are older doesn't mean they can't take you on).I simply wished their website would show more of what they offer because they sell a lot of different curios They were the original Cost Plus World Market in Tucson, and to an extent, they still are.This is a wonderful place to shop at on a Saturday because they are between Bookmans, La Salsa, Beyond Bread, and across the street from Trader Joe's. Also, the prices aren't extravagantly expensive nor dirt cheap, but they are inexpensive one-of-a-kind treasures.

I've traveled to 22 countries and, believe me, if I could swing it I'd spend 90-100% of my time seeing the world and shopping indigenous markets throughout Asia, Central and South America and Africa. The UN Center/UNICEF store makes me not mind so much that I can't do that (just yet). I love everything about this store ... - The quality products ranging from Oaxacan figures to rich silk skirts and representing places like Guatemala, Nepal, Indonesia and Africa. - That 100% of the proceeds go directly to UNICEF, which promotes and protects the rights of children growing up in less fortunate places in the world.What a perfect place for one-of-a-kind gifts you can feel doubly good about giving! But here's what I found out when I went on their website: the store regularly hosts classes and brown bag lectures. How cool is that? This is, hands-down, one of my favorite places in Tucson! And right next to Bookman's! (Wait a minute, did I die and go to heaven?)

This is such a great place to chop for gifts. My son and I like to go together and pick out presents for his friends and I always find great teachers gifts too. It is nice to see him explore more than a sea of Legos! Unicef is such a wonderful organization. Knowing that my spending $$ can go to good cause it makes shopping that much more fun! ThinkCards, stones, incense, books, jewelery and the playful or decorative goods from around the world. I am sure you will buy something you don't need here and you will love it!

One of my go to locations when I want to find a nice, quality gift with substance behind it, or a gift that reflects Tucson's cultural heritage. The jewelry in here is delightful and I can hardly keep money from flying out of my pocket when I see it--lots of unique, substantial pieces. This is a clean store staffed by attentive volunteers located in the Monterey Plaza (between Bookman's and Beyond Bread). They have a good selection of Oaxacan wood carvings in several grades, Peruvian clay figures, day of the dead skeletons, clothing, home decor, meditation aides, Asian art, incense... It's a store jam-packed with treasures. As a UNICEF store you know your purchase are for a good cause. Prices are reasonable for the type of goods here and often cheaper or comparable to online (remember, though, this is retail and they save you the effort of flying to a street market somewhere and haggling). Occasionally they have excellent sales and will do sidewalk rummage sale benefits for a specific cause. Tip: probably not the sort of place the average husband enjoys spending time. Send your man elsewhere as you gaze at all the lovely baubles!

Please stop by the UNICEF store in the shopping center where Boookman's is on Speedway. This store can easily be overlooked if you don't know it is there....this place has really cool stuff and more importantly, your dollars spent may actually save a life. It reminds me of a museum of shops from around the world. Most of the pieces are affordable and appear hand made with an interesting story behind it. They have a beautiful selection of cards and soaps and candles. The jewelry was abundant and everything nicely displayed. The staff are very diedicated and knowledgeable and eager to share with you or remain quiet while you to browse. I spent an hour there and felt really humble when I left. Go and take a friend.

Wonderful unique items in the store, beautiful clothing, great cards and gift items. It is staffed by volunteers and being a non profit all the money goes to UNICEF. They also have beautiful jewelry .

They have some genuinely cute stuff here--journals, decorative papers, etc. But even though the sign on the door says "masks recommended and appreciated," even the staff (who presumably put up the sign) weren't masking. So the hypocrisy of pretending to care on the signs outside the store while not actually caring inside the store was more than a little jarring.

There are so many beautiful things in this store.However, it is most unfortunate that one is not able to take their time looking at things because their family is being followed throughout the store. Any move we made, one of the females working there also went to the area that we were at. If we touched an item, she made a comment about it. The whole situation made for an odd shopping experience as we could not have a private conversation among our family of four about potential purchases. We ended up leaving quickly, feeling attacked and like suspects.

Our Tucson UNA Center Store carries a wide variety of beautiful jewelry, textiles, cards, unique craft items and art from around the world including children's and seasonal items. The store is staffed mostly by volunteers, so you know they want to be there and seem genuinely happy to help. Ruth, the manager, is a gem; knowledgeable and kind. UNICEF is highly rated by both Charity Watch and Charity Navigator, so I know that I can feel good about shopping here, supporting an excellent organization while finding special things I can gift or treasure for a lifetime. Their stock includes goodies for all budgets and a wide variety of aesthetic inclinations. This has been a favorite place of mine for about 20 years and I recently learned that our Tucson store is the largest of the only 4 remaining stores in the US. It's a true treasure that is worth supporting for many reasons! I've been to one of the others and please believe me when I tell you that it cannot hold a candle to our local gem. I've now lived out of state for over 12 years and am home in Tucson only 2 times, annually. The UNA Center store is my one MUST SEE place, every time, and I make sure to go at least once each visit. I hope you'll add it to your list of places to check out and support. Peace!Twice a year the UNA Center (UNICEF Store) holds a rummage sale, too! This is oodles of fun to attend and I highly recommend it. You can call them to find out the dates.