Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy & Karim Boumais.
Hi Christy & Karim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Karim and I founded L’malam Imports in the wake of the pandemic. Today, we’re fortunate to have a brick-and-mortar store in the nationally registered historic Mildred Building in Beaumont, Texas — but the path that brought us here was anything but conventional.
About six months before I met Karim, I attended a yoga and cultural retreat in Marrakech and immediately fell in love with the magic of Morocco. When I returned home, I booked a second trip for six months later to continue exploring the country’s art, design, and artisan traditions. Before my departure, Karim and I connected online to discuss how his marketing agency might help promote cultural retreats or artisanal imports.
By the time we met in Marrakech, a rapport had already formed. We quickly discovered a shared passion for art, culture, textiles, and interiors. Karim is an award-winning international photographer with a deep interest in interior design, and I studied art in college and spent summers with my aunt, who owned an import store in Houston in the 1980s.
After months of collaboration and planning, we decided to take on the challenge of becoming Moroccan importers — together. Our first container shipment of textiles departed from the Port of Casablanca just days before the global shutdown of ports in early 2020.
Although the shipment eventually made its way to Texas, we remained in Morocco for another six months. Once we returned stateside, the real work began: finding meaningful ways to share these textiles within our community and beyond. We started with a series of pop-up shops, and the overwhelmingly positive response opened the door to conversations about a permanent retail space. When an opportunity became available in the Mildred Building, we knew it was meant to be.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our Southeast Texas community over the past few years. It’s been a pleasure to meet so many inspiring clients and help them discover the perfect rug, textile, or custom piece. In addition to our curated imports, we offer custom furniture designed in collaboration with artisans in Morocco, as well as full interior design services.
It’s an honor to bring a touch of Moroccan magic to Texas. Recently, we were invited to collaborate with the Art Museum of Southeast Texas on their annual Go for the Gold fundraiser, themed this year as Moroccan Magic.
As we continue to grow, we are exploring opportunities to expand into Houston — with the hope of sharing that same spirit of Moroccan craftsmanship with an even wider community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At first, we fell in love with almost everything—the vibrant colors and the unique, one-of-a-kind nature of handmade goods. That was the easy part of our shopping journey. Over time, however, we became much more selective. Because every artisan specializes in a specific craft—whether it’s leather, jewelry, lanterns, or carpets—we had to build individual relationships with all of them. After that first shipment, we found our go-to people and now we head straight to them every time.
The real struggle was getting the breakable pieces home in one piece. Shipping is already a long, drawn-out process, and that’s even before you consider the latest regulatory challenges.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The word Lmalam is the Moroccan dialect version of the formal Arabic term for teacher, Al Muaalim. In Morocco, however, we use it specifically to refer to a master craftsman or an expert artisan. By using this title, we pay tribute to the skilled artisans behind this handcrafted masterpiece.
Every handcrafted piece has a story to tell. Whether it’s a work of extreme delicacy or a project that took months to complete, our collection is filled with unique finds. These are one-of-a-kind gems, once they’re gone, you won’t find another like them in any souk in Morocco.
At the heart of what we do are our exquisite handmade rugs, both new and vintage. We also specialize in atmospheric lanterns and fixtures, elegant serving ceramics, and classic brass trays. Complete your lifestyle with our handcrafted leather bags, purses, and poufs, and don’t miss our one-of-a-kind jewelry and hidden gems throughout the shop; This is exactly what we are known for: providing truly unique gifts. We are proud to be one of the very few authentic Moroccan Bazaars in the entire state of Texas.
Since the very first day we opened, we’ve shared a glass of traditional Moroccan tea with every guest who walks through our doors. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming space where every customer truly becomes a friend. So we invite you to experience the magic of our Bazaar and discover a unique masterpiece you’ll never forget!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lmalamshop?igsh=MTZ2bmtjZHh3a2FzZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18B3VsFkE2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
