91. DOWNTOWN GROWERS’ MARKET
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Description: All produce on sale here was grown less than 60 miles away, and vendors also offer artisan breads and pastries, goat cheese, pasta, honey, plants and flowers, soaps, and even dog biscuits! This community market includes arts and crafts, live music, and activities such as face painting and chef demonstrations. Grab a breakfast burrito, muffin, or fry bread and a cup of Joe and make a picnic under the park’s shady cottonwoods.Where: Robinson Park at Central Avenue and 8th Avenue SWWhen: On Saturday morning from June through October. Hours vary by month, so check at the Web site.
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
93. NOB HILL GROWERS’ MARKET
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Description: Browse New Mexico produce and grass-fed beef, eggs, honey, breads, pies, goat cheese, and jellies. There are also vendors of flowers and herbal skincare at this expanding market, with live music and a cool Nob Hill vibe. Kids are entertained with craft activities and a playground.Where: Morningside Park at Lead Avenue and Morningside Drive SEWhen: Thursday afternoons (previously has been 3 to 6:30 p.m.), May to November
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
95. JERICHO NURSERY
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 899-7555
Address: 101 Alameda Boulevard NW
Description: At this colorful 2.25-acre full-service garden center, you can find a wide array of trees, shrubs, and plants, from cacti to kale, with plenty of unusual varieties for gardeners seeking something a little different. Jericho also sells pottery, yard art, pond plants, bird feeders, tools, and other garden accessories. Although it’s a relatively young garden center, opened in 2005, the owner and most of the expert staff here are from the now-closed Rowland Nursery, which had a long and popular reputation. Owner Rick Hobson appears on TV and radio gardening shows, and the nursery hosts gardening seminars. There is also a branch at the Village Mercantile in Corrales (3675 Corrales Road, 505-897-9328). Both stores are open seven days, year-round.
96. Osuna Nursery
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 345-6644
Address: 501 Osuna Road NE
Description: This large nursery covers 10 acres and is a family business run by owner Chang An since 1980. It offers a wide selection of bedding plants, trees, shrubs, native varieties, and tropical houseplants. The store offers a good selection of garden tools and indoor and outdoor garden accessories, ornaments, and gifts, including pottery, fountains, and birdbaths. Locals enjoy the good service from “Team Osuna” staff, who will also diagnose plant problems if you bring a photo or sample. There is also a “plant interiorscape” service for businesses and homes. Open seven days, year-round.
97. PLANTS OF THE SOUTHWEST
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 344-8830
Description: Specializing in native southwestern plants and trees, Plants of the Southwest has its own farm in Galisteo, and harvests its own non-GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds, which are also for sale. Seed selections include wildflowers, grasses, chiles, herbs, and vegetables. The business started from its Santa Fe location in 1976. Although not the largest nursery, this is a popular spot among North Valley gardeners, not least for its knowledgeable employees who are always helpful in making recommendations. Open seven days in summer, closed Sunday in winter.
98. The Grove Cafe and Market
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 248-9800
Address: 600 Central Avenue SE
Description: The shelves of this popular café are a cloud nine for foodies, with a modest but perfectly selected range of local and international food products, including artisan breads, cheeses, and chocolates and premium olive oils, vinegars, condiments, olives, jams, coffees, teas, and other culinary items. There are plenty of nicely packaged and unusual products here that would serve as gifts. Closed Monday.
99. GERTRUDE ZACHARY JEWELRY
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 766-4700
Address: 3300 Central Avenue SE
Description: Designer Gertrude Zachary works with Native American silversmiths and artists to produce a wide selection of handcrafted jewelry in both traditional and contemporary designs. The store is popular with locals for its bold silver and turquoise pieces, but there are plenty of other high-quality gemstones, too, and you can also find concha belts and old pawn jewelry. The Nob Hill store on Central Avenue has 18th- and 19th-century antiques as well as jewelry. Both stores are open seven days.
100. Ooh! Aah! Jewelry
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 265-7170
Address: 110 Amherst Drive SE
Description: Expect to see a nicely edited selection of jewelry here from about 100 local, national, and international artists. This Nob Hill boutique sells both contemporary and traditional designs, and refreshingly unusual fashion pieces start under $25. Metals include silver, gold, platinum, and titanium, and there are plenty of pieces set with gemstones, in addition to gold vermeil, bridal collections, wedding bands, and watches for men and women. A range of handbags features labels like Tutela, Hobo, Latico, and Nino Bossi. Ask for a frequent-shopper punch card to receive $15 store credit for every $150 spent. Open seven days.
101. HEY JHONNY
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Address: 3418 Central Avenue SE
Description: It’s always a pleasure to putter around Hey Jhonny—and yes, that is how they spell the name! You’re guaranteed to find unusual decorative items for the home in this chic boutique, including contemporary pottery and ceramics, glasswear, vases, candles, bowls, and goblets, as well as jewelry, gifts, scarves, and an always-hot selection of Hobo International purses. Many pieces are one of a kind, and the owners bring pieces back from their travels to keep their Nob Hill clientele coming in to see what’s new. Open seven days.
102. Hispaniae
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 244-1533
Address: 410 Romero Street NW
Description: This Old Town store is packed with traditional south-of-the-border arts and crafts, especially from Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala, plus retablos by New Mexican artisans. Hispaniae specializes in Day of the Dead iconography, often with a dash of mordant humor or a splash of Frida Kahlo. Also look out for beautiful black La Chamba cookware from Colombia and tinwork from Mexico. Open seven days.
103. Jackalope
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 349-0970, (866) 867-9813
Address: 6400 San Mateo Boulevard NE
Description: A riotous bazaar of eclectic home accessories, pottery, rugs, furniture, folk art, and gifts, Jackalope started as an importer of Mexican pottery in Santa Fe (where there is still a store). It has expanded over more than three decades to stock colorful merchandise from around the world, including China, India, and Africa, and it’s always an adventure to see what you might find. There is also a store in Bernalillo, just north of the city (834 W Highway 550, #44, Bernalillo; 505-867-9813). Open seven days.
104. La Casita de Kaleidoscopes
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 247-4242
Description: Allow plenty of time for a foray into this Old Town store that captivates adults and kids alike with its wide range of kaleidoscopes from exquisite artist-designed pieces with prices into the hundreds (or thousands), down to simpler examples at around ten bucks or less. Many of the kaleidoscopes are not only delightful to use but make beautiful decorative items for the home. It’s easy to spend an hour oohing and aahing your way around the shop as you try out all the kaleidoscopes, and it’s a good spot to pick up an unusual gift. Open daily, although Sunday hours are usually limited to the afternoon, and it may be closed Sunday in January. Check in advance.
105. La PiÑata Shop
City: Albuquerque, NM
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (505) 242-2400
Address: 2 Patio Market Street NW
Description: Choose from a selection of different styles of piñatas—including bowls, burros, and cartoon characters—to fill with your own goodies. Traditional star-design piñatas are always a good pick in this Old Town specialty store. You can also buy leather hats, pillows, vests, and jackets, plus handmade porcelain dolls with clothes made by the store owner and Native American jewelry, paper flowers, and artwork. Open seven days.