Our Store, Our Story
We are curators of handmade art collected from Mexico and Beyond.
Once upon a time ...
In 1939, Roberto Vega open his Vega's Curios and Antiques on Avenida Guerrero in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. He was a stylish and an impeccable man with an excellent eye for collecting quality merchandise; a tradition that still exists.
Right Place, Right Time
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, as a bordertown to Laredo, Texas, mainly catered to locals on both sides of the Rio Grande River. Tourism was not a thing yet, not until one weekend in 1942. The Army-Air Force base in Laredo, Texas gave out a weekend pass to all its soldiers, and they walked across the US-Mexico International Bridge and invaded Mexico.
Birth of Tourism
Jorge Vega shared a story told to him by his father, Roberto, that tourism in Nuevo Laredo began as a misconceived invasion of Mexico. The US soldiers marched across the International Bridge and ate, drank, and purchased just about everything in Nuevo Laredo that weekend. It was one of the best business weekends and the birth of the tourism industry for both Laredos.
The Spanish Colonial Revival
During the 1920s, Spanish Colonial architecture was en vogue in the Southwestern United States, and this trend continued well into the 70s and 80s. By 1960, Jorge and Estela Vega, moved on from Vega's Gifts in downtown Nuevo Laredo to a much larger location to accommodate their next venture: Vega's Furniture.
Custom Furniture Design
The 1960s was a great time for the furniture business in Nuevo Laredo and this was partly due to the Laredo Air Force base. The pilots transitioning in and out of Laredo at that time were great at helping spread the word on their new venture.
Texas Expansion
In the early 1970s, Vega's would open another location in Laredo, Texas with their next venture, Vega's Imports. It would cater to wholesalers looking to buy large quantities of Mexican pottery and outdoor metalwork, and curios items to sell at their shops throughout the United States.
In 2000, Vega's added a beautiful Hacienda and courtyard patio inspired by the enchanting city of San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico.
Interior Design
Since the early 2000s, our new venture has been Interior Design. My sister, Eva, who dreams as big as my father ever did, offers her design services to suit our customers needs. Whether that would be for their homes, offices, restaurants, or hotels, Eva can help bring your ideas to life.
Visit Us in Laredo, Texas
Stop by for a visit whenever your travels brings you to Laredo. Our showrooms can inspire you, and our courtyard patio can be your oasis in South Texas.
Ask us about our Margaritas. We try to keep a pitcher ice cold and ready for those travelers wishing for the good old days of Nuevo Laredo.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm.