While metro Detroit is home to several Muslim clothing stores that cater to the region’s high concentration of American Muslims, it’s hard to imagine there could be one trendier than Hija.Bee of Dearborn Heights. 

The boutique primarily focuses on stylish garments for young women. Its customers say they’re relieved the store opened, since most local Islamic clothing stores carry items for older age groups. 

“I wanted to open something that is modest, but at the same time stylish,” said co-owner Lama Habhab.  Opening the store was initially her idea. The 23-year-old is business partners with her husband Abdulrahman Hmeidan, 25, and remembers having trouble finding stylish clothes to suit her age. “I always find that there aren’t things for younger girls. It’s often for older people,” she said. 

The boutique is affordable and carries merchandise for women ages nine to 60 that includes head scarves priced at $5 to $15, jackets, shirts, skirts, cardigans, elegant two piece suits for $60 to $140, jewelry among other accessories, dazzling evening gowns, Islamic swimwear and the traditional Islamic abyaya dress.  “It’s more of a boutique for everyone, but our main focus is hijab wear,” Hmeidan said. 

Hija.Bee has professional makeup artists and scarf designers. Makeup is only $10 for eyes, and $20 for a whole face — compared to salons that charge up to $75 for makeup.

Scarf designers have made astonishing pieces for brides on their wedding day since opening March 2011. Hija.Bee does alterations and gift baskets too. 

In less than a year of being open the store has received international attention with orders being placed from various states, and countries such as Canada and Palestine.  The two admit word of mouth has been good to them. 

Hija.Bee owners 25-year-old Abdulrahman Hmeidan and his wife 23-year-old Lama Habhab. The boutique primarily focuses on stylish garments for young women, and is affordable while carrying merchandise for women ages nine to 60.  PHOTO: Natasha Dado/TAAN

Its website is still not up, but customers have been placing orders after viewing items on the Haja.Bee Facebook page and then calling the store or emailing thehijabee@gmail.com about the items they want. TheHijabee.com site is expected to launch soon . 

The store attracts a diverse crowd, many of whom are not Muslim and simply looking for a scarf to wrap around their neck or want conservative swimwear.  “We do get a lot of customers who are non-Muslim around here,” said Hmeidan. 

Opening the business was challenging.  “It took a lot of work,” said Habhab. The couple designed the whole store which has pink walls and hangers. 

Hmeidan is in school studying to become a pharmacist, while his wife plans to begin school again soon after taking a break. The owners are also working on putting out the Haja.Bee clothing line. 

The store gained national attention when it debuted on the TLC reality show All-American Muslim after a mother from one of the five familes featured on the show took her daughters there to purchase head scarves.  

The head scarves come in every color, material and design imaginable. Its designer garments are shipped in from countries including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Lebanon and Turkey.  

Haji.Bee hosts parties for young girls who’re celebrating their decision to wear the hijab for the first time. The parties are elaborate and have included fireworks, cotton candy, card tricks, gifts, henna artists, face painting and cake. “We wanted to make it girly, and as much about the young generation as possible,” said Habhab.