Karavan

Unique wares but definitely call ahead before stopping. We came at 7:40 thinking they were open until 9:00 and they were already closed.

One of the most unique stores in Columbus, and for that, I throughly enjoy shopping there.
They have a large selection of quality handmade shoes/​boots, jewelry, bags, clothing and household items made in Turkey. They have new items frequently and the owners are kind and knowledgeable.
If you want something different than what you can find in other local stores, it’s definitely worth stopping in!

I really like their jewelry. They have great pieces, and good prices… this is speaking of the costume jewelry only.
They workers, presumed owners, are always so nice!

The exotic wares of Asia Minor are found in this Short North stop. It is named after the place where merchants would rest and trade their stuff. The name is apt, as Karavan deals in authentic Turkish inventory.
The store is a visual delight and is worth a look through, if not a purchase for those that love the middle eastern flare. Turkey being a crossroads for medieval traders, as well as being a strategic entry port from the Middle East into Europe, is a melting pot if diverse influences ranging from Byzantine flourish, to Persian and Arabic style. Such diversity gives the store an unique position in the market.
Stain glass items are plentiful. Lamps and hookahs fill the windowsill. They have large rugs. They have plenty pretty slips that would make a free sprinted woman stand out. They have great jewelry and boxes. All from Turkey.
On the downside the prices can be high; you do have the authenticity and of course, that Short North/​High Street tax. I’ve purchased a tea set here before, a gift, and it is of high quality, sometimes a little mire is worth it.

What a neat shop! I bought the most beautiful lantern and some interesting jewelry. The 2 gentelmen helping me were more than helpful and went out of their way to make sure I walked away with exactly what I wanted. I only wish I could have afforded to purchase the other 3 lanterns I was drooling over. Definitely stop in if you have the opportunity! :)

I wouldn’t recommend buying anything from their website. I ordered a pillow cover for my guest room and got a completely different one. I tried calling several times and no one answered. I e-​mailed and finally got a response after a week or so. The owner was kind at first; he told me to give that one as a gift and he’d send me some pictures of new ones that he was going to be getting on his trip to Turkey.
I never got any pictures of new options, and just received an e-​mail this morning saying that his workers said that I ordered the one that was sent. He would only refund $ 35 of the $ 50 I paid. I’m completely unimpressed with this place and will never order from them again. I can’t speak for their shop, but buying online is risky.

If I’m on High Street, I always drop in at Karavan to look around. It’s full of lovely items, including a lot of nifty belly dance gear that you don’t find in just any store. There are also a lot of great pieces of jewelry, scarves, and other little purses and what not that make perfect gifts. This year, I especially found myself drawn to the pretty pouches, perfect for a kindle or Ipad, decorated to look like Persian rugs.
Service is polite and includes niceties like providing gift bags for presents. They also have a great «shop» bag decorated with various lucky charms that amused my family. First time visitors usually get a little eye of protection and an explanation of the store, which is nice. Staff often will jut in with explanations of things you are looking at too. This can be helpful and informative, though it does make it tough to «just browse’. …I admit I find this approach a bit uncomfortable, but I suppose that it is probably a very effective strategy from their PoV.
I do find that their prices can be quite high, such as for the simple hip scarves which can be much cheaper on Ebay if you do some digging. However, there’s something to be said for having the ability to touch and try on something before you buy it. …and for not having to deal with strange people online. So, yeah. If you’re looking for a gift or accessory a little out of the ordinary, or just gallery hopping on High, it’s not a bad place to give a go.

Original Pricing about $ 25/​lamp,
Karavan’s price for similar lamp about $ 125.
Need I say more… The proof is in front of you all…

Picture this: two girls checking out high st for the first time. nice place, grab a scoop at jennis. nice warm day. they see a beautiful, festive shop with great lamps after a few blocks… excited, they enter and gravitate to the rings section. they have a 2 for 30 $ deal so decide to get one each, except nothing really sticks out. so move on to browsing the lamps (a wee bit overpriced and surprisingly flimsy)…when the owner Mr. Balant (i guess) walks over to them and asks if they will pay for the rings they have… wait. waaaa? umm we do not have any on us! at this point he says that 2 rings are missing and that you might have stolen them…(the outing is getting a wee bit sour at this point). girls: you think we stole them. Mr. Balant with raised eyebrows: shrugs… girl gets a wee bit mad: before you accuse someone, a customer (not at this point or ever), why don’t you checkout the cameras you have installed? Mr Balant: this kind of stuff happens all the time. ummm… so we do realize the guy has issues at this point and decide to take the evening to a more pleasant place (the apartment)…yikes!!! i did get to check out the wares though and i recommend NOT to invest your money in anything here. bad joojooo!!!

Ooo! Sparkly!
This store’s window display will catch your eye as you pass by on Short North. Filled with crystals, lighting fixtures, stained glass, and much more, Karavan has a variety of things to bedazzle your household. They also carry a variety of Turkish clothing and accessories, if you’re looking to accent your wardrobe. They even have Turkish coffee sets!
Not in the mood for shopping? Still, stop by and take a look around. It’s like a gallery of Middle Eastern wares.

They have expanded! They have taken over the space that was immediately next to them. Its a good thing too because that means more fun things to look at. Everything is like a Turkish work of art. Take your time in this store because there is a lot to see!

Very cute boutique store. Items from $ 1 (evil eye glass pendants) to over $ 300 (handmade serving bowls. Very nice sales guy (gave my son a free item)
Very interesting items and good gifts if your giftees are interested in Turkish/​Middle Eastern items.
My wife loved this store.
I would consider this a 2.5 star establishment.

Before I realized that art history majors don’t make any money, I wanted to get my art history degree with an emphasis in Byzantine art. As such, I’ve always wanted to go to Turkey! Since I’ve yet to have the chance, I was so excited to find this shop during the latest Gallery Hop!
It has a large number of clothes and trinkets from Turkey and I was most excited to see they had Turkish tea and coffee sets! I’m learning how to make Turkish Coffee and would love to have a set and serve my friends! I will be back to find more goodies that I can add to my collection… until, that is, I make it to Turkey!

Most of the goods at Karavan are handmade. Everything is full of color and intricate designs. The Turkish rugs are really high priced; but think about how involved it is to make something like a Turkish rug BY HAND, or even using a machine. The jewelry is awesome, combining metal and stones and even artsy glass. Beaded shoes and sandals cost about what you would pay at DSW, but they’re not mass produced; they’re made with love.
The hanging, hand blown oil lamps were pretty cool and came in all different colors. There was a bright sky blue cart with interesting designs and within it were shakiras, or scarves. With a purchase of a scarf you could get a free CD. About the store you can find knick knacks of caravan characters; some standing and playing instruments, some sitting and making some craft like a rug, or other poses.
When you visit, the owner is more than happy to tell you all about Turkey. He is a friendly, hospitable guy. As he told me, the Turkish people are all about hospitality.
I give it my rating for all the hardwork that goes into beading and making all these treasures!

This store is very festive and full of Turkish treasures. Items include housewares, scarves, some clothing, and TONS of jewelry as well as a myriad of jewelry boxes in a variety of sizes.
I’ve popped in here on three occasions either during the gallery hop or with friends from out of town in search of treasure. Each time has been a trip mainly due to the staff. The last time I was there with two friends and the clerk followed us around as we tried on jewelry and scarves and then gave each of a special charm on a little black string that she said reflected our personalities.
Weird but cool.

Karavan is easily the best place to buy bohemian style earrings (which I doubt the boys below are doing much of) in the entire city.
It was this store that convinced me to get my ears pierced so many years ago.
The workers here are absolutely wonderful, and the store itself quaint and has much to look at. This is the kind of place that a boho style girl would be distracted by. I doubt any red-​blooded guy could spend more than ten minutes in here.
One of their signature things is these hammered copper earrings and hair clips and bracelets that are covered in very bright metal and have delightfully ornate designs on them. They are utterly unique.
The prices here are wonderful. The earrings I bought tonight, most gorgeous things i’ve ever seen, were just under ten dollars.
I went to the register and he got these gorgeous sparkling bags that fold over and stick shut. He wrapped things seperately in these gorgeous bags and was incredibly polite and elegant. The people beside me were getting a gift for someone and the owner got all excited about these new gift bags that were absolutely gorgeous (and free). They were amazing.

Like Randy said, Karavan is oddly out of place. Mainly, I think, because it’s authentic. It’s not a hip new take on embroidered boots, it’s just embroidered boots. It’s not Turkey meets Paris. It’s just Turkey. Which is a funny name for a country anyway.
However, I’d have no trouble buying a rug or indulging my obsession with small wooden boxes. And if you’re into ornamental scarves, this would definitely be the spot to get one.

In some ways Karavan doesn’t quite fit in the Short North. As advertised outside the store, Karavan sells treasures from Turkey. What that means is lots of scarves, loads of jewelry and mounds of rugs.
Now don’t get me wrong. This stuff is just fine. It’s not really my style, but it’s well done. Many of the shop’s offerings are handmade, which is super-​cool. But it just doesn’t mesh with the hipster feel of the rest of the Short North.
Maybe that kind of variety fits in just fine, though. It’s certainly worth a visit if you like this sort of thing.