Our Family, Our Store
We are curators of handmade art collected from Mexico and Beyond.
Our Origin
In 1939, Roberto Vega open his Vega's Curios and Antiques on Avenida Guerrero in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. He was stylish and impeccable man with an excellent eye for collecting quality merchandise; a tradition that we still pride ourselves on in carrying out till this day.
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
My grandfather told a story to my father that the Mexicans thought they were being invaded. He was right, as it was an act of economic invasion; the soldiers ate, drank, and purchased just about everything in the city that weekend. It was one of the best business weekends and the birth of the tourism industry for Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.
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, my parents 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. My parents have said that the pilots transitioning in and out of Laredo at that time were great at helping their them spread the word on their new venture. Since these pilots were coming from all parts of the United States they often returned home with Vega's furniture and through word of mouth sent family and friends to visit our business. This is a tradition that is still the hallmark of our business model till this day.
US Showroom Expansion
In 1973, my parents opened another location, but this time in Laredo, Texas where their next venture, Vega's Imports, would cater to wholesalers looking to buy large quantities of Mexican pottery and outdoor metalwork, and curios items to sell in their shops through the United States. The custom furniture manufacturing business operations would continue on in Mexico at the Vega's Furniture location.
Evolving Design Philosophy
The world's designs influenced our style and have taken root in our philosophy. We are no longer committed to building the familiar but are embracing everything that inspires us.
This is something that we honor to this day. The more our world becomes connected, the more we find new influences to infuse them into our designs.
Visit Us in Laredo, Texas
Come visit us whenever your travels bring you to Texas. We are sure that our showrooms will inspire you, and our lovely patio will be your oasis.
Don't forget to try the margaritas we serve on Saturdays. They are special, just like our products.