North Charleston, S.C. (March 12, 2026) — Zuma Imports, a Charleston-based home décor brand founded and co-owned by best friends Elyse Witt and Zuhal Bulut, is opening a showroom in the Charleston Design District at the historic Navy Yard. The 1,620-square-foot space will serve designers and homeowners across the Southeast, offering rare, artisan-crafted pieces that merge Turkish influence with the Lowcountry’s unmistakable design aesthetic.
“We’re thrilled to be opening in the Charleston Design District,” said Witt and Bulut. “We look forward to bringing global heritage together with Charleston’s distinctive style and offering a fresh perspective on the region’s design story from the District’s dynamic, creative environment.”
Founded in 2015 after a transformative trip to Bulut’s native Turkey, Zuma Imports curates a collection of handmade rugs, pottery, doors, wooden farm pieces, and more, each with a distinctive story and history. Inspired by the country’s rich textile heritage and antique treasures, the duo embarked on a mission to bring these exquisite pieces to the United States through fair trade practices, supporting artisan women and their villages in Turkey.
Zuma Imports was attracted to the Charleston Design District’s vision as a collaborative collective that brings like-minded brands, makers, and creatives together in a thoughtfully designed setting. Establishing a presence in the Charleston Design District will enable Witt and Bulut to engage more deeply with clients across the region.
The showroom, located beside Textures in Storehouse Nine at Navy Yard Charleston, will feature a carefully curated selection of vintage and modern handwoven rugs and runners, antique pottery, and handmade pillows, all imported from overseas. Many of the pieces are one-of-a-kind and will be available exclusively in the Charleston Design District showroom, providing unique pieces and a novel approach toward décor.
Design plans for the space draw inspiration from the global travels of Witt and Bulut, inviting visitors to explore the culture and beauty that inspired the creation of Zuma Imports. Reminiscent of historic bazaars and artisan workshops, the showroom will showcase the collection’s rich color, texture, craftsmanship, and quality.
Zuma Imports at the Charleston Design District marks the third location for the brand, including a warehouse in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and a retail shop in Turkey. The showroom will be open to the public after launching this spring; no appointment is required.
On Saturday, March 14, Zuma Imports will offer the design community a sneak preview of its showroom during the annual Charleston by Design fundraiser hosted by Historic Charleston Foundation. Event information is available at charlestondesigndistrict.com/cxd.
Formed around beloved brands at Navy Yard Charleston and the neighboring Navy Yard Industrial Campus, the Charleston Design District is currently home to dozens of design businesses and artisan makers. These include, within Navy Yard Charleston: The Urban Electric Co., Floral Studies, Middleton Made Knives, Kate McDonald Bridal, Post Loyal Architecture, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Inc., Nidum Gallery, Kravet, The Shade Store, Schumacher, Patterson Flynn, Textures, Artis Construction, and Riva Mare. Within the Navy Yard Industrial Campus: Fritz Porter, LulaKate, Benjamin Paul Studio, Studio Sontosis, TTS Studios, Sisal Creative, Robert Long Lighting, Datum Workshop, and Robert Thomas Iron Design, as well as Celadon Home and Smithey Ironware Company.
The Charleston Design District is a central component of the Navy Yard Charleston redevelopment, a project led by Jamestown, which is known for its design-focused approach to real estate, alongside local Charleston real estate developers Weaver Capital Partners and WECCO Development.
To learn more about the Charleston Design District, visit charlestondesigndistrict.com, and watch the destination take shape on Instagram.
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About Zuma Imports
Rooted in heritage and artistry, Zuma Imports brings centuries-old Turkish craftsmanship into contemporary American homes through its curated collection of handwoven rugs and vintage pottery. With a commitment to quality, sustainability, and Charleston-inspired design, Zuma Imports provides designers and homeowners with distinctive, artisan-crafted pieces that elevate spaces into refined, globally influenced interiors. For more information, visit www.zumaimports.com.
About the Charleston Design District
The Charleston Design District brings together showrooms, innovative maker spaces, and elevated dining experiences across Navy Yard Charleston and the Navy Yard Industrial Campus. The collective design guild—located just seven miles from downtown Charleston on the site of the historic Naval Base—functions as a design resource hub for the Lowcountry and is home to celebrated brands such as The Urban Electric Co., Fritz Porter, Schumacher, Kravet, Holland & Sherry, and STARK. The Charleston Design District serves as a convenient one-stop shop for both design professionals and homeowners alike, offering the most extensive and innovative selection of interior furnishings in the coastal Carolinas. For more information, visit www.charlestondesigndistrict.com.
About Navy Yard Charleston
Navy Yard Charleston is a multi-phase redevelopment to transform the former Charleston Naval Base into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood and regional destination that celebrates and amplifies the history and culture of the Lowcountry. Situated on 85 acres along the Cooper River in North Charleston, Navy Yard Charleston includes the restoration and reactivation of historic buildings as well as new construction. Today, Navy Yard Charleston is home to dozens of companies, including designers and makers. In the future, Navy Yard Charleston is projected to encompass more than 3.2 million square feet and feature a dynamic mix of office, residential, retail, dining, showrooms, entertainment and cultural venues, and community green spaces. For more information, visit www.navyyardcharleston.com.
