Tlaquepaque, Sedona, Arizona

The City of Sedona, Arizona was little more than a town to pass through in the seventies. Today all that has changed and the Tlaquepaque is one of the reasons why. The shopping and artists area was created to reflect old Mexico and the craftsmen that sold their wares there. The land was open range mostly when Abe Miller, a successful Nevada businessman starting vacationing in the area. He fell in love with a parcel of land owned by the Girard's. It was filled with a creek and beautiful sycamore trees.

Abe Miller promised the Girard's he would retain the trees when he created what was to become Tlaquepaque. The trees have indeed been incorporated into the design of the venue. Calling Tlaquepaque a shopping mall is too common for the place is more than that. Local artists show their wares in their own stores. Many of the artists work on their pieces while the public watches. Tlaquepaque is filled with fountains, courtyards, and flowers. Tiles, ironworks, carved doors, lanterns, clay pots and benches came up from Mexico to achieve authenticity. The people that worked on the project were artists not contractors.

There are many restaurants at Tlaquepaque. The most well known is the El Rincon. The other restaurants that are in the complex are the How Sweet It Is, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, Rene at Tlaquepaque and the Secret Garden Cafe. Some of the restaurants feature live music and delightful art works.

The bulk of the stores at Tlaquepaque are artists' galleries. They feature many mediums. Some create paintings and sculptures. Several more have hand weavings, glass, rugs and Native American works. Clothing stores have names like Calling All Angels, Diva Sedona, Hyde Out and Panara. Beautiful jewelry can be found at Cocopah, Geoffrey Roth, Gold Door Gallery, Ninibah and Red Canyon Collections.

Many specialty shops exist in Tlaquepaque. They carry kitchen inspirations like linens, cookware, dinnerware, gourmet food selections and picnic baskets. Others have furnishings, bed and bath products, pottery, handmade Christmas decorations, candles, music boxes, toys, wine and Off road Tours of Sedona.

Weddings can be held in the Chapel at Tlaquepaque. The service is non denominational and can seat thirty people in the wooden pews. The stained glass windows along with an exquisite mural over the altar make it a very popular place for weddings. Once the ceremony is complete the bells of the chapel are rung.

Wedding receptions can be held in the many courtyards of Tlaquepaque. The stucco buildings surround the courtyards, some with fountains, and are transformed into private venues for receptions. The trees are hung with colored lights and luminaries are added to the area to complete the romance. Tlaquepaque courtyards can accommodate one hundred or less guests. The Patio Del Norte Courtyard is the most popular one for receptions. The Terrace overlooks the red rock mountains of Sedona. The Patio De Las Campanas has a Spanish archway at the entrance with cobblestones in the courtyard that borders the Tlaquepaque bell tower.