NEDERLAND - This is the business that started it all.
While the offices at 80 Big Springs Drive are a strongly positive addition to the downtown commercial scene, the driving inspiration for the building was this early business of Steve Karowe’s.
He explains: “We founded Zuku Baskets with a simple mission: to share the beauty of handwoven West African baskets with as many people as possible….
“For over 35 years, we’ve been importing and wholesaling these stunning baskets to retail stores across the U.S. and Canada. But we wanted to make them accessible to everyone—and that’s how zukubaskets.com was born.
“Now, individuals can shop directly for these one-of-a-kind, hand-made baskets and bring a piece of Africa’s rich craftsmanship into their homes.”
A look at Zuku’s gorgeous website will show you the superb quality and beautiful variations of these baskets, from the handy totes to the generously sized laundry baskets to the cozy Moses baskets for babies.
Zuku’s Moses baskets, which are baby bassinet-shaped, are “one of our featured and most unique basket styles….They provide the perfect nest for your newborn and are an ideal gift for expecting parents.”
Karowe makes it clear that Zuku Baskets is a Fair Trade online store that is “dedicated to supporting Ghanaian weavers and their families for over 20 years….we help artisans thrive by covering their annual healthcare registration and donating school supplies to children in Bolgatanga, the heart of Ghana’s basket-weaving region.”
Zuku Baskets offers these beautifully handcrafted items directly to online customers. Karowe boasts, “Unlike other online retailers, we let you choose exactly the basket you want—what you see is what you get, with no surprises!
“For our neighbors in the Greater Nederland region, we’re offering a special 20% off discount at zukubaskets.com with the code local love when you opt for curbside pickup in Nederland. It’s our way of supporting the local community while bringing you authentic, artisan-made baskets from Ghana.”
Zuku ships its baskets to the contiguous 48 US states and across Canada. Shipping is free for all orders over $150; a flat $20 otherwise.
For Karowe and his small crew of six in Nederland, the real joy of this operation is in “supporting the talented weavers and their communities in Ghana, and I cherish working alongside our amazing team here in Nederland. The most rewarding part of this decades-long journey is knowing that we’re making a real difference—helping vulnerable artisans in Ghana while bringing joy to everyone who encounters these beautiful baskets….
“The positive impact on the artisans and their families is our top priority and guiding inspiration, reflected in every basket we ship to you.”
He adds, “We all love what we do and appreciate working with such unique, artistic, and functional baskets.”
Obviously proud of his enterprise, Karowe goes on: “We anticipate continued growth for zukubaskets.com and plan to expand our selection of baskets in the years ahead.”
You will find the offices of Zuku Baskets in Unit 101, 80 Big Springs Drive in Nederland; phone 303-465-9585, and email connect@zukubaskets.com. But you really want to browse the extraordinary pages of their website, www.zukubaskets.com.
