Huseyin Sahin does not have customers. Instead, the owner of The Magic Caravan Turkish imports shop said he has friends.
When people walk into his rug and textiles store, they are offered either an apple tea or a Turkish coffee in one of the ceramic teasets Sahin sells.
They may be greeted by Za-Za or Sippi, Sahin’s two dogs that he said are “always” at the store with him.
When visitors leave, they carry out whatever they have purchased as well as a small painted bowl that Sahin has insisted they take for free.
“If someone comes here, it’s 90 percent that they come back again for more shopping or bring friends,” Sahin said.
Sahin was born in Cappadocia, an ancient region in the heart of Turkey known for its honeycombed topography.
“I grew up taking people from one chapel to another on donkey, explaining all the facts,” Sahin said.
Since then he has traveled the world, opened a rug-trading business in Istanbul and relocated to the United States.
He and his younger brother opened The Magic Caravan in 2015 as the American outpost of his original business, the Istanbul-based Arsah Carpets.
In addition to selling Turkish rugs, Sahin expanded the shop’s wares to include textiles, including Turkish bath towels and scarves, homemade jewelry, ceramics and clothing.
The Magic Caravan also hosts unique events, such as a 30-percent-off-everything Fourth of July sale “to show our appreciation for the hospitality America has shown us since we opened,” according to the event’s Facebook page, and providing complimentary energy readings one Saturday last spring.
His brother died shortly after The Magic Caravan opened. Since then, Sahin has refrained from cutting his hair, which is long and white, and from spending much time in Turkey.
Instead, he focuses on his store and his clients, who hail from many countries and 49 states.
“The most interesting thing here is to meet people,” Sahin said. “That’s my life structure, meeting new people. And carpets are my tools to meet them. It’s the best way to explain myself to people—who I am, where I come from.”
The Magic Caravan
5003 Burnet Road, Austin
737-226-0132
www.magiccaravanaustin.com
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.