Pink Store Features the Art, Crafts, Food & Drink of Old Mexico
By Marjorie Lilly - Deming
Palomas - For 18 years Sergio and Ivonne Romero have been bringing a huge variety of Mexican crafts to Palomas, Chihuahua -- on the Mexican side of the border just across from Columbus, New Mexico. When you walk in the store it’s like entering a forest of folk art. Tables and shelves and walls are loaded with objects from fifteen Mexican states, and from the ceiling hang stained glass pieces, tinwork, pinatas, papier mache fruit, angels, parrots, and wrought iron suns.
<a href=http://sonewmex.com/modules.php?name=Links&file=viewlinkinfo&id=122><img src=http://sonewmex.com/banners/pinkstore_75dpi_horiz.jpg border=1 align=right alt="Click to learn more about the Pink Store"></a>It’s so easy for Americans to cross the border into Palomas. No passport, paperwork, or fee is required. And Palomas is peaceful compared to other border cities. The Pink Store is just one block from the border on the left, with an unmissable sign.
You can spend a few hours shopping at the Pink Store (or Tienda Rosa), eating at the adjoining Casa de Pancho Villa Bar-Restaurant, and checking out a few other stores and restaurants in town, and return to Columbus or Deming for the night. Several stores can be found at the charming plaza built next to the Pink Store.
http://sonewmex.com/images/pinkstoreowner.jpg
Sergio and Ivonne Romero have brought a huge variety of Mexican
crafts to Palomas for 18 years
Tarahumara Indian women from the Copper Canyon area of Chihuahua sit with their children on sidewalks and sell crafts they’ve made. Their patterned handmade blouses and broomstick skirts show off the vivid colors they love. There might also be blue-eyed Mennonites in overalls from colonies an hour or so away selling cheese and cookies they make out of the trunks of their cars or, in the summer, melons from their trucks.
The Casa de Pancho Villa Restaurant has a large dining area that’s also used to display crafts and large wood and metal sculptures. The waiters and waitresses are bilingual and friendly. The restaurant consciously caters to American visitors: The meat is bought in El Paso and is USDA approved. Lunchtime, especially on weekends, draws a big crowd, but there’s no need for reservations. There’s usually some live music.
The Romeros buy their crafts themselves. “Each time, we try to discover something new,” says Sergio. Inventory includes ceramic dishware, hand-made glassware, tiled mirrors and many silver items, embroidered Mexican dresses, cases of silver jewelry, and wood furniture. There are shelves of chic leather purses and hand-made toys for kids.
“We love to visit with the artisans,” she adds. “It’s like an extended family that we’ve created throughout the years.”
The Pink Store is an extended family, too. The Romeros are natural goodwill ambassadors of the border.
You can call them at U.S. number (505) 531-7243. The store is open 9 am to 7 pm daily and the restaurant 10:30am to 7 pm seven days a week. To learn more about the Pink Store, click here (http://sonewmex.com/modules.php?name=Links&file=viewlinkinfo&id=122). You can also visit their web site which includes more photos and a video walking tour of The Pink Store here (http://thepinkstoremexico.com/PinkStoreHome.html).
By Marjorie Lilly - Deming
Palomas - For 18 years Sergio and Ivonne Romero have been bringing a huge variety of Mexican crafts to Palomas, Chihuahua -- on the Mexican side of the border just across from Columbus, New Mexico. When you walk in the store it’s like entering a forest of folk art. Tables and shelves and walls are loaded with objects from fifteen Mexican states, and from the ceiling hang stained glass pieces, tinwork, pinatas, papier mache fruit, angels, parrots, and wrought iron suns.
<a href=http://sonewmex.com/modules.php?name=Links&file=viewlinkinfo&id=122><img src=http://sonewmex.com/banners/pinkstore_75dpi_horiz.jpg border=1 align=right alt="Click to learn more about the Pink Store"></a>It’s so easy for Americans to cross the border into Palomas. No passport, paperwork, or fee is required. And Palomas is peaceful compared to other border cities. The Pink Store is just one block from the border on the left, with an unmissable sign.
You can spend a few hours shopping at the Pink Store (or Tienda Rosa), eating at the adjoining Casa de Pancho Villa Bar-Restaurant, and checking out a few other stores and restaurants in town, and return to Columbus or Deming for the night. Several stores can be found at the charming plaza built next to the Pink Store.
http://sonewmex.com/images/pinkstoreowner.jpg
Sergio and Ivonne Romero have brought a huge variety of Mexican
crafts to Palomas for 18 years
Tarahumara Indian women from the Copper Canyon area of Chihuahua sit with their children on sidewalks and sell crafts they’ve made. Their patterned handmade blouses and broomstick skirts show off the vivid colors they love. There might also be blue-eyed Mennonites in overalls from colonies an hour or so away selling cheese and cookies they make out of the trunks of their cars or, in the summer, melons from their trucks.
The Casa de Pancho Villa Restaurant has a large dining area that’s also used to display crafts and large wood and metal sculptures. The waiters and waitresses are bilingual and friendly. The restaurant consciously caters to American visitors: The meat is bought in El Paso and is USDA approved. Lunchtime, especially on weekends, draws a big crowd, but there’s no need for reservations. There’s usually some live music.
The Romeros buy their crafts themselves. “Each time, we try to discover something new,” says Sergio. Inventory includes ceramic dishware, hand-made glassware, tiled mirrors and many silver items, embroidered Mexican dresses, cases of silver jewelry, and wood furniture. There are shelves of chic leather purses and hand-made toys for kids.
“We love to visit with the artisans,” she adds. “It’s like an extended family that we’ve created throughout the years.”
The Pink Store is an extended family, too. The Romeros are natural goodwill ambassadors of the border.
You can call them at U.S. number (505) 531-7243. The store is open 9 am to 7 pm daily and the restaurant 10:30am to 7 pm seven days a week. To learn more about the Pink Store, click here (http://sonewmex.com/modules.php?name=Links&file=viewlinkinfo&id=122). You can also visit their web site which includes more photos and a video walking tour of The Pink Store here (http://thepinkstoremexico.com/PinkStoreHome.html).