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Looking for that perfect souvenir, that thoughtful little gift to bring back home, that charming tchotchke that somehow encapsulates your entire visit to Albuquerque? Our city is lined with shops that specialize in memorable local food, clothing, gifts and gewgaws. Of course, the Balloon Fiesta grounds are filled with merchandise, vendors and an Artisan Tent with more than 30 makers of handcrafted art. But if you want to venture out, you could start in Old Town, which has quite the history of souvenir selling. Wild West T’s & Gifts (401-A San Felipe St. NW), Old Town T-Shirt Company (323 Romero St. NW #14), Old Town Emporium (204 San Felipe Rd. NW) and Covered Wagon (2034 S. Plaza St. NW) are great places to find inexpensive New Mexican postcards, Southwestern T-shirts, Western trinkets and Indian artifacts. Stop by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s Indian Pueblo Store (2401 12th St. NW) to peruse high-quality jewelry, pottery and rugs from a variety of Native artists. IPCC will also host over 50 area artists at the 2025 American Indian Arts Festival on October 4 and 5, which is a good time to plan a visit. Kei & Molly Textiles is a local institution boasting a colorful selection of whimsically designed dish towels, napkins, tote bags and more. They’re available in shops all over town, or you could visit their flagship factory story at 4400 Silver Ave. SE. Sports fans can support the hometown teams by stopping by the Albuquerque Isotopes Pro Shop (1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE) or the New Mexico United Team Shop (3500 Central Ave. SE). Foodies who want to take home some signature red or green chile, can get it fresh-roasted or in ristra form at Sichler Farms (820 San Mateo Blvd. NE), Farmer’s Chile Market (2010 Eubank Blvd. NE) or Chile Traditions (6919 Montgomery Blvd. NE), among others. If you want canned or jarred chile salsa, head to a supermarket and look for Sadie’s, Cervantes, Gilly Loco, Monroe’s, Duran’s, Bueno and 505 — all much-loved local brands. Spiced beef jerky is another NM fave. Snag a bag at New Mexico Beef Jerky (1425 Fourth St. NW), ABQ Beef Jerky (2531 Isleta Blvd. SW), Sena’s Beef Jerky (2129 Central Ave. NW) or Jerky By Art (1717 San Pedro Dr. NE).
Pictured is Brotique 505, a store specialising in T-shirts and other products made by New Mexicans. It is located in the Green Jeans Food Hall near Carlisle and I-40.
Photo by Roberto E. Rosales / THE PAPER Credit: Photo by Roberto E. Rosales
Balloon Fiesta Guide: Souvenir Shops is a story from The Paper.. Publishing from New Mexico’s largest city, The Paper is your source for local, independent news, covering politics, arts, culture, and events.
