From Benin to Buffalo
Dovi Tsomafo is not originally from Buffalo, though her future family will be. Dovi, her husband and their three daughters (ages 20, 15, 8) came here from Benin Africa where they had fled persecution in their homeland of Togo. Benin was a safer haven than Togo, which was experiencing a civil war, but by no means was it safe. Dovi's family was still in jeopardy of violence and kidnapping, and it was the US Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) that came to their rescue. Countless families were shuttled all over the world, and when it came time for the Tsomafo's to leave, the only thing they had with them were the clothes on their backs, a few personal belongings, and the hope that wherever they were going they would be welcome. INS flew the family (first time on a plane) from Benin to Buffalo in 1999, and that's where Catholic Charities took over.
When they arrived they were met by a translator, who took them to their rented apartment on the city's East Side. Not long after that, two very incredible things happened. Though Dovi could not speak a lick of English, she made her way to the Broadway Market where she explored the new and unfamiliar cultural destination. One of the vendors at the market, a woman by the name of Constancia Pikye, commented on how beautiful Dovi's daughters looked in their handmade dresses. Within no time Dovi had her first client who would also help to translate her native language while conducting her business in Buffalo.
The two struck up a strong working relationship that developed into an everlasting friendship. It did not take long before Dovi realized that she wanted to run her own shop within the market. Constancia not only helped her to set up the shop, she acted as her translator in order for Dovi to conduct business... all the while Dovi started classes at Erie Community College where she obtained an Associates Degree in Health Information Technology. While all of this was going on, Dovi also applied for her City of Buffalo peddlers permit and set up shop whenever she could at the corner of West Ferry and Grant. She brought her neighbor along on those days to help translate there too. That is when the second bolt of lightning struck. An affiliate from the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts inquired whether she would be interested in setting up at the festival. She jumped at the chance (she was now speaking small bits of English), and the following summer she was selling her wares at her first festival.
After a recent unfortunate turn of events at the Broadway Market, Dovi found herself looking for space elsewhere. She eventually found a small boutique next to the Stuyvesant Plaza where she has just opened to the public. She and her three daughters manage the store where they sell wonderful hats, handmade ebony necklaces and statues, batik bags, colorful sweetgrass bags, kufis, djembe drums, mud cloths, 100% cotton tapestries, sarongs and pure Shea butter. Her merchandise is imported from Benin, Kenya, the Ivory Coast, and Ghana... and she tells me that the selection is ever changing.
Dovi has also signed up to help start the newly forming downtown bazaar, and is excited to see an indoor/outdoor market this summer. She will be attending future meetings, so lookout committee members, as she has some great ideas. Dovi's African boutique, named Designs by Dovi & Girls, is located at 224 Elmwood Avenue in the rear. Stop in and welcome this new merchant to the street. She is now a lot closer to where her children go to school on the city's West Side, and is excited to call Buffalo her permanent home. 716.882.1424
How great! Wonderful News! Will stop there this weekend - and for those who know me - stop laughing - I'm not for a dress - I'm looking for a djembe... :-)
It’s good to see that one can come to Buffalo from a totally different culture and language and still succeed
Buffalo's future lies in immigrants who WANT to be here rather than natives who do not. Bravo, Dovi!
Best Wishes to Dovi for Success!
I've known people who have been here all their lives who have not done as well for themsleves as Dovi (seemingly) has. This would be the kind of merchant we would need for a downtown flea market/bazaar.
Way off subject, but I love the handle "Regina Urbis" - I wish I could think of stuff like that !
Back on subject, best wishes to "Dovi and Girls" for much success in the future.
Queenseyes: What were the unfortunate events at the Bway Market that you referred to?
From what I understand, the Broadway Market has a new policy that imposes fines on vendors who are more than 15 minutes late when opening in the morning. With Dovi's children going to school she was having a hard time opening on time so she opted to leave in search of her own space. I did not check with the market, as that was not the story I was following, so I would verify with the market first.