Today we’d like to introduce you to Zarai Reyes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Zarai. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Zarai began at Chicago’s infamous outdoor flee Market, Maxwell Street Market in 1999. My husband Jose Ramirez and I began as a booth stand selling t-shirts, ball caps, socks and other miscellaneous apparel items. Little did we know that our booth stand would quickly become a gateway into Mexico’s beauty.
The journey of when I first arrived at the U.S. in search of a better living for my family and I, had a lot to do with the birth of Zarai. Although I had established myself in Chicago and made a life, there always stood a sense of disconnection and emptiness when it came to thinking of my hometown, Sasamulco, a pueblo located in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. The feeling stemmed from missing my parents and siblings. The fact is, I was the only one from my immediate family to move to the U.S. in the early 70’s. It took a toll on me as a young woman. But reflecting back on our decision to move North of the border, it was the best decision my husband and I made. The lack of work we faced in our home country was what pushed us to begin our new life in the United States of America.
It is precisely the lack of work and longing for my hometown that opened my heart and mind to share our culture through artisan pieces of clothing. During my trips to visit family in Mexico, I began to connect with Indigenous and Mexican families who dedicate their lives to creating Traditional, Folkloric and hand embroidered wear from different regions of Mexico. As I began to bring pieces bit by bit and display them on our booth stand, I witnessed people taking a great liking to them. I soon became known as the Market as ‘La Señora de la ropa tipica, The women with the Mexican traditional wear.’ The more pieces I introduced, the more, the demand grew. Not only were people taking an interest in our culture but the families making our pieces maintained and grew in business.
That’s when I first felt, that bit of emptiness I had always sensed, to slowly fill up. I realized, if I can provide a single job or prevent someone from separating from his/her family in search of a better living, then I have fulfilled my purpose and built the connection I’d been longing. I can only speak from my experience but I can tell you, it is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. To pack only a bag with a change of clean clothes and leave everything I’ve known or owned behind and move to a place I knew nothing about, including the language, was scariest thing moment I experienced. My purpose with Zarai is to help alleviate the need for work in my home country considering that’s the biggest reason many leaves, all in search of a job.
After being at the Market for 10 years through blazing heat and freezing winters, Zarai blossomed into a beautiful Dahlia flower I dreamed of. We outgrew our booth stand and moved temporarily into an indoor commercial warehouse space, this is where we were able to establish our identity as Zarai, the name given to me at birth by my father and that many in my hometown know me as. Although I wasn’t registered as so many only know me as Zarai, and it serves as a reminder of my days back in my Pueblo as a young girl.
After the warehouse, we moved on to a studio space for a year before settling into our storefront. We have become known as a Cultural Boutique, located in the heart of the Pilsen neighborhood along 18th street. It took 16 years from that first day at the Market to open the doors to our very own Boutique Zarai. I am grateful for what Zarai has grown into but most importantly for what it has accomplished for families and small businesses in Mexico, all while “sharing the beauty of Mexico, piece by piece.”
Has it been a smooth road?
Zarai has taken a great journey, both ups and downs included. One of the biggest struggles was investing our family savings into a business we didn’t know would strive. It was the greatest risk we’ve taken, the fear of not growing was always in the back of my mind which is also why we were fearful of establishing our store sooner.
And the days of being a street vendor to selling at the Market during hostile weather conditions was never easy. Nonetheless the days we would have to call it and sacrifice a day of business due to a blizzard was the hardest because that bit of sales greatly impacted our week’s expenses.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Zarai story. Tell us more about the business.
At Zarai we specialize in providing authentic Traditional and artisan clothing from Mexico. All pieces are imported from different regions and majority are handcrafted by working families and family businesses in Mexico. It is our mission to provide work for these families all while sharing our culture here in Chicago.
The Mexican Folkloric dresses used for performances is what I would say sets us apart on top of our mission. Many customers come to Zarai for these dresses and attire because they express how hard of a time they have found locally without having to catch a flight to Mexico to get. It’s the greatest feeling to hear customers say they like to visit Zarai because it reminds them of Mexico.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Over the next 5-10 years, I can see the industry growing as it has been. Expansion is where I see Zarai, opening other store locations in areas within Chicagoland area and possibly other states. The trend for Mexican embroidered clothing seems to have increased this past year by what we’ve seen through the demand. Ultimately I see it continue growing and with that growth, I aim to carry items from every state in Mexico. And with the help of my son Henry Ramirez who is determined in carrying Zarai onto new heights, I feel confident with achieving the growth I strive for.
As for a shift, I can see Zarai becoming a brand name. And stepping behind the scenes onto the design table.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1724 W. 18TH street
Chicago, IL. 60608 - Phone: 773.297.7077
- Email: zarai.chicago@gmail.com
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