Step through the door of this teeming antique shop and the squeak of the wood floors alone is enough to send you back in time. Wander the free-flowing aisles and you’re guaranteed to trip over (maybe literally) some bygone goodies—most dating from the middle of the 20 th century or so. You won’t find a lot of Victorian clothing or Federalist furniture here, but there are plenty of pop cultural gems, from the big (a full-size Pepsi-Cola cooler) to the small (a tidy selection of classic 45 records). You can spend a little ($2 for rustic, decorative kitchen utensils) or a lot ($3,000 for an actual juke box). Alongside your standard Americana (old advertising signs, rusted license plates, collectable salt-and-pepper shakers) are some sharp Western items. Ornate, hand-tooled saddles will run you upwards of $400. Professional branding irons go for $145. Indian blankets range between $85 and $125.
The Wild Birdhouse
Surely you know someone who’s a dedicated bird-watcher. This friendly little store next to Flying Star has those folks covered. Gorgeous copper birdbaths can be had for between $21 and $108. Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes, of course. You can fill them with birdseed in 20-pound bags all the way down to 8-ounce suet cakes. For the holidays, however, I recommend the birdseed wreaths ($19.95). For those who like to see what they’re feeding, Wild Birdhouse carries a line of Vortex binoculars and the awesome Motion-Activated Digital BirdCam ($169). The place even stocks environmentally friendly bat houses made from recycled plastic ($99) if the person you’re shopping for likes his or her wildlife a little more wild.
Rio Woodworks And Design
With a workshop built right on to the back, Rio Woodworks specializes in customized, handcrafted furniture. Sleek lines and simple wood grains make for a rustic but modern look. A desk in knotty alder wood can be had for $1,100. A stylish wine cabinet with a satiny, two-tone varnish runs $1,595. Beds, vanities, dining tables and artistic willow wood screens are some of the other fantastic furnishings. Sharing the same space is Sara’s Southwest, an arty little boutique with some Santa Fe-style clothing, silver and turquoise jewelry, and a collection of chic Western boots from Tres Outlaws ($550 to $1,110). Adorning the walls are a selection of vivid oil paintings from Vicki Van Vynckt, R. Patterson, Cecelia McRoberts and others ($175 to $6,800).
Jackalope
This garden and home decor store is a Santa Fe/Albuquerque (and now L.A.) institution. Founded by teacher, philosopher and world traveler Darby McQuade, Jackalope has been importing international folk art from around the globe since 1976. The first thing you’ll notice at the plus-size Bernalillo location is the yard, overflowing with statuary and pottery. Need a six-foot metal Statue of Liberty, a Roman fountain or a life-size stone pig? They have that. A reclining stone Buddha, by way of example, will set you back $549. Cozy fired-clay chimineas go for between $99 and $249. And then there are those acres and acres of colorful pots, some large enough to inter an entire Chinese regiment. Inside the towering tin-roofed “barn,” you’ll find softer goods like pillows ($14 to $99) and rugs ranging from placemat-size ($6.99) to my-house-isn’t-that-big ($699). There’s pressed tinwork, mirrored gazing bowls, carved Peruvian gourds, festive Mexican glassware, Oaxacan wood carvings, Indonesian masks, candles, coffee—just too much to list in this all-afternoon shopping affair.
