16 Best Shopping in Northwestern New Mexico, New Mexico

In a town with two super-sized Wal-Marts and a Target, a shopping round-up would not be complete without mentioning the gargantuan Animas Valley Mall. Expect the usual chain suspects, plus a multiplex movie theater.

City Electric is a shoe shop Gallup-style, and is definitely worth a poke around. This purveyor of moccasins, cowboy boots, belts, and cowboy hats also repairs saddles and shoes and sells leather and fittings for your own work. This corner shop with a Pueblo Deco facade was founded by an Italian immigrant in 1924. It has stayed in the Bonaguidi family ever since.

To break free from the chains, step out to Dad's Diner; it's fun, open on Sunday—not much else is in town—and a certain cut above mall food.

Coming up from Zuni on NM 602, travelers will come upon Ellis Tanner Trading Co., a venerable fourth-generation family operation.

Emerson Gallery highlights the modern, appealing paintings and prints of Anthony Chee Emerson. His bright yet harmonious palette is decidedly nontraditional, yet his themes speak to Native American history and contemporary issues—sometimes in the same piece.

Detour one block south to Fifth Generation Trading Co., an old trading post run by the Tanner family since 1875. Big and distinctly tourist-driven these days, it has a wealth of Native American wares and is known for sand paintings.

About a half-hour drive west of town, in Waterflow, are a number of old-time posts, including the Hogback Trading Co. A fourth-generation operation in business since 1871, it is especially known for fine, handwoven Navajo rugs.

sells crafts and art, including that of local Zuni artisans and other indigenous people far and wide. Stop by for a caffeine jolt or a fresh fruit smoothie, enjoy the pretty rock garden and the view from the hand-hewn porch, or time your visit to one of their special live music events in summer.

The repurposed old El Morro School is now painted brightly in deep orange, pink, and blue hues that draw in passersby. Inside the one-room building, find changing exhibits (pottery, glass, prints), from a myriad of artful folks who have made the hidden nooks of this verdant area on the edge of the Zuni Mountains their home.

Perry Null Trading Co. bought out the 80-year-old Tobe Turpen post in 2005; Perry Null, himself a trader since the 1970s, continues to sell kachinas, sand paintings, jewelry, folk art, and more.

Pueblo Trading Post dates back "only" to 1980 but is housed in a 1920s carved sandstone building that was once a more traditional trading post and has earned a solid reputation for the quality of its silver and pottery, which is all made by Zuni, Navajo, and Hopi craftspeople from the surrounding region.

At Richardson's Trading Co., the great-granddaddy of trading posts, the wooden floors creak under your feet as you gawk at the knockout array of Navajo and Zuni turquoise and silver earrings, squash blossoms, concho belts, bracelets, natural-dye handwoven rugs, and beadwork. Richardson's is also a veritable museum of old pawn (the often valuable, unclaimed items pawned by local Native Americans).

Shiprock Trading Post established in 1894, came to Farmington in 2007. What sets this location off from its gallery in Santa Fe is its direct connection to the Navajo artisans who come here to buy the richly dyed skeins of wool that collectors will eventually see in their finished rugs. Stop here to view a good selection of topical books, outstanding rugs and jewelry from Indian artists creating contemporary designs from traditional materials, an excellent selection of modern Ganado and Wide Ruins rugs, rare vintage Chiefs blankets, and almost as rare Zuni and Navajo pawn.

Another branch of the Tanner trading family runs Shush Yaz Trading Co., which stocks all manner of Native American arts and crafts, including locally made Navajo squaw skirts. The store sells traditional and contemporary jewelry and is a great source of old pawn. The on-site restaurant serves native foods.

offers the work of Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo artisans as well as the raw stone, shell, and silver with which much of the work is made. Some historic pieces, such as a 1930s Pima basket, are also sold here.

specializes in Zuni-made fetishes and jewelry, and occasionally has good examples of their iconic polychrome pottery for sale as well.