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The Pink Store
A mecca of Mexican art and cuisine just over the border.
Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, is perhaps best-known as the launching point for Pancho Villa’s infamous 1916 raid on the New Mexico town of Columbus, the last land invasion of the contiguous United States. Today it serves as a convenient destination for Americans looking for cheap dental care and prescription drugs. However, at least one institution serves as a more cultural experience for international travelers.
The Pink Store was founded in 1989 by Ivonne and Sergio Romero. It sells art from all over Mexico, including ceramics, jewelry, silver, and other folk art. The Romeros take their roles as cultural ambassadors very seriously, offering prices in both pesos and dollars, providing information in English and Spanish, and guarding customers’ cars. They have even organized trips to the village of Mata Ortiz, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Paquimé, and the Copper Canyon.
The Pink Store also includes a restaurant. It offers a variety of Mexican dishes, many incorporating queso menonita, a Chihuahuan cheese consisting of soft white braids. Many travelers specifically recommend their margaritas.
Know Before You Go
The Pink Store is about a minute’s walk from the Mexico-US border crossing. Many American visitors just park on the other side, to avoid paying heavy car insurance fees. The store is open from 9 AM to 6 PM daily.
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