Plaza Shops

Just off the main drag of the plaza, this tiny little shop has a really well-curated selection of used books and records that can all be purchased for a song. The little espresso machine in the corner is perennially manned by local creatives—a valuable resource if you're on the hunt for events like screenings and gallery openings.

This sliver of a store shares a space with its next-door neighbors, so the square footage is small, but what's here is great. Specializing in menswear, they carry a great mix of prim cashmere sweaters, tailored dinner jackets, and leather accessories like belts and shoes (plus a few good leather jackets). It gets bonus points for being within striking distance of most hotels, helpful for forgetful packers.

In a town that's known for antiques and handmade furniture, Design Warehouse occupies a unique niche in modern, mid-century, and Scandinavian design. The showroom on Marcy Street has some great furniture, but it's also a worthy stop for gifts—they've got a great little selection of books, kitchen tools, and office supplies.

Lucchese was started by a pair of Sicilian brothers who applied their Italian leather shoemaking training to cowboy boots in Texas back in the 1800's. They still make the best luxury cowboy boots on the market, with only two stores outside of Texas—in Santa Fe and Nashville. At the back of the store, you'll find rows and rows of every conceivable variation.

Founder Ira Seret spent more than fifteen years living in Afghanistan, buying and designing for everyone from Oscar de la Renta to Bloomingdales, and amassing a huge collection of stunning rugs and textiles. The store he runs with his wife is filled with the kinds of upholstered furniture, carpets, and home accessories you won't find anywhere else. Their most accessible showroom is really the Inn of Five Graces, which they decorated for the opening in 1996.

Shiprock Gallery was inspired by the New Mexican town of the same name, which is located on the Navajo reservation where founder and fifth-generation art dealer Jed Foutz was raised. Foutz specializes in the work of Native American artists, with cases and cases of turquoise jewelry and a much-photographed "rug room" with a huge selection of original weavings (in addition to historic pieces, he shows new exhibitions of work by living artists, which often include painting, photography, and sculpture). Pieces of this quality don't come cheap—beginner collectors might want to spend some time in the trading post section, which features cases of jewelry and weavings that all come in under $1,000. If you've got a bit of time to spare, ask the salespeople about the provenance of the building itself, which has a history that's just as fascinating as the works on display.

Hive Market is a modern, food-centric souvenir shop. Passionate about the honey bees that pollinate Northern New Mexico, the founders built their business around bee-centric products like honeycomb, beeswax candles, and, of course, honey itself. The shop carries other locally made goods, too, like lavender soaps, red and green salsas, teas, dried white sage, and even locally milled pancake mix. Their gift boxes make great housewarming gifts if you're staying with friends.

Fireplaces seem to be everywhere in Santa Fe, and the local bookstore is no exception—theirs is surrounded by a circle of couches and overstuffed chairs perfect for settling in with something from the shelves. The kids' section is particularly well stocked, and poetry buffs will want to keep a close watch on the website since readings happen every week or so.

What used to be an appointment-only showroom on the outskirts of town is now a large shop just blocks away from the Plaza. And it was worth the wait: Scott Corey’s carefully curated shop, filled with vintage American menswear, is a dream selection of flannels, jean jackets, and leather goods. You’ll also find a selection of vintage jewelry in addition to pieces by the Outpost’s co-owner, designer Julienne Barth.