Q: We're arriving December 23rd- staying 2 days. What time do the stores in Old Town usually close and/or are they even open that close to the Christmas holiday? Thanks!!
A: Christmas Eve is actually a wonderful time to shop in Old Town. Many shops are open until 4 or 5pm, but there are others that are open even later (9 or 10pm). It's gorgeous to stroll around Old Town on Christmas Eve and enjoy the luminarias. All shops are closed Christmas Day, but the day after Christmas is another prime shopping day! Check out our listings of Old Town stores.
Q: I am looking for a store here in ABQ that carries Laurel Burch handbags and other merchendise. Thanks
A: The Old Town Cat House carries Laurel Burch products. It's a great little shop! 
Q: Are there any large outdoor flea markets there and if so what are there names so I can get more info to visit them. Thanks.
A: There is a great outdoor flea market held every weekend at Expo New Mexico in Uptown Albuquerque from 6 am - 7 pm. There are more than 1,300 vendors selling their wares on a 25-acre lot. For more information, visit: www.exponm.com/fleamarket 
Q: Need to replace coffee mug, authentic Indian pottery with Navajo design, bought in Albuquerque's Old Town years ago, at the shop with the pink doors. Can you connect me up with a shop which sells similar items?
A: Hmmmmm pink doors don't ring a bell. I think your best bet is to start by contact the Old Town Merchants of Albuquerque. They will be able to help point you in the right direction. Best of luck!
Q: How do I tell whether jewelry is authentic? What should I be looking for?
A:
Thanks for the great question! I actually don't know too much about this subject, so I enlisted the help of two local professionals: Jack Sturgeon, General Manager at Skip Maisel’s Downtown and Joe Dan Lowry, Owner of the Turquoise Museum in Old Town. Here is what they had to say: 
 
"The answer to the question is to get the purchase in writing. The Federal Trade Commission Guidelines say to request a written receipt that includes all vital information about your purchase. These can include:
  1. Name of artist and tribal affiliation
  2. Identity of metal content whether .925 Sterling Silver or 14kt or 18kt gold.
  3. How the jewelry was fabricated. 
    1. Authentic Indian Handmade refers to jewelry that is hand cut and hand tooled by a registered Indian artist with no machine made parts
    2. Genuine or handcrafted generally refers to jewelry that includes machine made parts or imported craftsmanship.
    3. Signature on the back of a piece of jewelry identifies the artist but does not specifically identify how the artist made the piece of jewelry
The key to shopping is buying what you like. If you want to know what you are buying, a reputable store or artist will specifically guarantee these words or explanations in writing." Joe Dan
 
"My advice is to first of all deal with a reputable dealer, someone who knows what they are selling. They should ask questions, if they are looking for silver ask if it is sterling, ask if the Turquoise is natural, stabilized or block. Block is not Turquoise. Natural and stabilized are both fine. As with most things use your head, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is." Jack Sturgeon 
Q: I am a fiber enthusiast and am in town for 2 days only. What are the best yarn/fiber shops in the area? Is there any shop that specializes in local hand dyed, spun, woven fibers? Thanks!
A:
I definitely recommend checking out Fiber Chicks in Old Town. It's a great place to start and they should be able to help you tailor your fiber-focused visit.   
Q: I will be visiting Albuquerque in May. What are the best stores for jewelry shopping. I have heard you get the best deals at the Flea Market. What are the days and times for the Flea Market?
A:
Jewelry... I think the Palms Trading Co. is great for traditional-inexpensive. Sunwest Silver, too. Try Ooh Aah and Mariposa for more contemporary finds that are still priced well. For higher-end jewelry try Gertrude Zachary. 
 
I'm sad to report that I really don't know the flea market all that well. However, I have plenty of friends who go frequently and get great deals on fun stuff. It is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (approximately) and is located on the Expo New Mexico State Fair Grounds at Louisiana & Central (enter at Gate 9). I recommend the earlier hours for a calmer crowd, cooler weather and a less picked-over selection. 
Q: How often do you shop Old Town and do you visit all of the shops? The Covered Wagon has the Craig Ferguson Favorite Mug and so much more like handmade Indian art, jewelry & pottery, moccasins, stetsons, Pendleton & souvenirs galore.
A: I shop in Old Town frequently and am familiar with the Covered Wagon. It is a fantastic shop indeed! 
Q: Where can I acquire a rattlesnake coffee cup like the one craig Ferguson of the CBS Late Late show has. He said he got it from Alburquereque Thank you for your help. David
A: Hi David. I'm not familiar with the exact mug you are referring to, but if I had to guess I'd bet it came from the American International Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque's Old Town. They sell a ton of great rattlesnake-related items in their gift shop and I bet they can help you out. Good luck! 
Q: Within the past 10 years, my wife and I visited an outside market around the University. It was very large and seemed to be a parking lot or fairground. Still there? We will be visiting and would like to go back there.
A: I think you are referring to the New Mexico Flea Market, if in which case is true, yes it is still there. The market is open every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (approximately) and is located on the Expo New Mexico State Fair Grounds (enter at Gate 9, Louisiana &  Central). For more information on the market, visit:  www.exponm.com/en/fleamarket
Q: coming to Albuquerque for balloon festival I arrive first to do some shopping ..what is the best place to stay to see old town Nob Hill etc. and still be close to festival site. I will not have a car...any suggestions for hotel etc. accomodations?
A: Because Old Town and Nob Hill are pretty far away from Balloon Fiesta Park (approximately 10-15 miles), I recommend staying in Uptown Albuquerque (to find hotels in Uptown, go to: http://www.itsatrip.org/lodging/default.aspx). From Uptown you will have easy access to Balloon Fiesta Park with the city’s convenient and affordable Park and Ride service (http://www.balloonfiesta.com/content/park-and-ride), which will pick you up from and drop you off at uptown’s Coronado mall. From there, you will also be near Albuquerque’s Rapid Ride bus line that has a direct route to both Nob Hill and Old Town (http://www.cabq.gov/transit). Remember to make your reservations early – Balloon Fiesta is a pretty popular time around here. Safe travels!
Q: My two daughters and I are taking a “girls-only” weekend trip to Albuquerque. Where’s the best area to take them shopping?
A:
Sounds like such a fun trip! What a great thing to do with your girls.  Where to go with them will depend on what you are looking for.  We have four distinct shopping districts: Historic Old Town, Nob Hill, Downtown and Uptown. But if I had to bet, I’d guess that Nob Hill and Uptown will suit you and your daughter’s best:
  • Nob Hill has an eclectic mix of small, mostly locally owned stores with unique, handcrafted goods. You get everything from southwestern clothing, one-of-a-kind jewelry, chic home de´cor to trendy fashion boutiques and a few popular chains like Urban Outfitters. In Nob Hill you’ll also find tons of outdoor dining options, interesting ethnic restaurants, diners, coffee shops, microbreweries and wine bars. 
  • Uptown is the state’s biggest shopping and dining destination and home to ABQ Uptown, an outdoor mall filled with upscale specialty shops and restaurants (BCBG, J. Jill, Coldwater Creek, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, MAC, The Apple Store, Elephant Bar, Bravo Cucina Italiana). Coronado Center is also in Uptown, and it features more than 150 stores (Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Gap, Banana Republic, Cache´, Ann Taylor, The Body Shop). 
For more information on the different neighborhoods in Albuquerque, go to: www.itsatrip.org/activities/neighborhood-guide 
Q: My girlfriend and I both love outdoor flea markets, growers markets and festivals. Can you tell me if there are any held in August/September 2009?
A:
Open-air markets and outdoor festivals are a real treat in New Mexico. Albuquerque has a fantastic variety of markets and festivals: You can take a Sunday stroll through Corrales (http://www.corralesharvestfestival.com) where you’ll find a variety of art, music and food; stop by Tijeras (http://www.justimaginegallery.com)  to shop for jewelry, pottery and fine art; or visit Albuquerque’s downtown for the only open-air market (http://www.downtownabq.com) that features 100% locally grown New Mexico produce. 
Also, depending on exactly when you are here, I definitely recommend checking out the New Mexico Wine Festival on September 5-7 (www.nmwine.com) where you can browse high-quality arts and crafts, sample dozens of New Mexican wines, and enjoy live entertainment all in the glowing New Mexico sun.  I also recommend Go Arts Fest and the north valley farmer’s market

Q: I love Native American jewelry and want to do as much shopping as possible while I’m in town. What’s the best way to get around so I can cover as much ground as possible? Is there a good bus route you can recommend?
A: I definitely recommend renting a car. While Albuquerque does offer some excellent public transportation options (see www.cabq.gov/transit for schedule information), the city is sprawled out over an expansive187 square-miles. Renting a car will allow you to cover the more ground in less time.  
Q: Where is the best place to find affordable, authentic, Native American jewelry?
A:
Albuquerque as a whole has an extensive array of shopping options to add a little New Mexican flair to your collection.  I think you’ll find that Albuquerque has some amazing offerings all throughout the city however, if I were you, I’d start with Old Town (http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/neighborhood-guide/old-town.aspx). In Old Town, you’ll find authentic Southwestern jewelry, pottery, weavings, rugs, art and more that fill the picturesque adobe shops and galleries at prices that put other Southwestern cities to shame. 
For a great list of Southwestern/Indian arts, crafts & jewelry stores, go to:  http://www.itsatrip.org/shopping/stores/default.aspx?all=1 

Have fun and remember to pack light!  

Q: My partner and I are really into visual arts. Does Albuquerque offer any art galleries? If so, where are the best ones?
A: Indeed we do! Albuquerque was recently named the 5th Best Arts Destination in the Nation for large cities (American Style Magazine) so we are absolutely chalk full of great galleries of all kinds.  For a list of our galleries go to: http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/new-mexico-art/default.aspx 
Q: I am looking for the best southwestrn, rustic or Mexican furniture stores in town. I just moved here and would love to furnish accordingly! Thank you so much.
A:
 Unfortunately, asking where the best Southwestern furniture in Albuquerque is, is like asking where the best salsa or green chile is… and the answer to all three depends heavily on personal taste.  Because honestly, the “best” stores are everywhere -Albuquerque is chalk-full of quality, Southwestern-style stores that will likely suite your furnishing needs.  I think your best bet is to check out: http://www.itsatrip.org/shopping/stores/default.aspx?category=Interior+Furnishings%2fImports where you’ll find a broad list of ABQ area import and furnishing stores… if nothing else, it’s a place to start. Now the fun part will be hunting through them and choosing your favorite. Welcome to Albuquerque!
Q: I will be vacationing in NM with my sister and will be spending a day in Albuquerque. We are looking for funky boutiques (we are young 40s) that carry modern clothing and shoes.
A: Oh what fun! I recommend Tres Boutique, Toad Road and Elsa Ross in Nob Hill, and Jilli Kae in Old Town.   
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