Boutique makes move from Holland to downtown Zeeland

Even though their store has only been open a few days in downtown Zeeland, Vi Weeks says she and her husband David already "feel that we really fit in" their women's fashion and accessories shop, Jumees World.

"It's going to be fun here," Vi Weeks says of her new store at 138 E. Main St.  

After starting Jumees World a couple of years ago as more of a crafts and gift store, Weeks' vision evolved into what is now a boutique-style clothing shop offering hand-carved and hand-painted fashion accessories from India, Thailand, Kenya and other countries.

The name Jumees World comes from Vi's nickname, Jumee. Jumee is a variation of the Laotian word jume, which describes the sound of a stone thrown into water.

The store was originally on Lakewood Boulevard in Holland, but Vi and David decided to move it to Zeeland after the city's marketing department asked if they'd like to relocate to downtown.

Though the new 1,000-square-foot shop has about the same amount of retail area as the old store, the Weeks had to give up some office space. Vi Weeks says it was a sacrifice she was willing to make because her shop gets more foot traffic than its previous location.

Inside, the store has a tropical feel with its displays of brightly colored clothing, handbags and jewelry. Weeks says she carries fair trade items, as well as some fashions made in the U.S.A., and the store caters to girls and women ages 13 and up.

Source: Vi Weeks, Jumees World

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].