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Maisel's Indian Trading Post
Maisel's Indian Trading Post, Albuquerque NM.jpg
Maisel's Indian Trading Post in Albuquerque
Maisel's Indian Trading Post is located in New Mexico
Maisel's Indian Trading Post
Maisel's Indian Trading Post
Location in New Mexico
Maisel's Indian Trading Post is located in the United States
Maisel's Indian Trading Post
Maisel's Indian Trading Post
Location in the United States
Location 510 Central Ave., SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Built 1939
Architect John Gaw Meem
Architectural style Pueblo Revival
NRHP reference No. 93001215
Added to NRHP November 22, 1993

Maisel's Indian Trading Post was a famous store in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a special place where people could find beautiful Native American crafts. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. This means it was recognized as an important part of history. Maisel's closed its doors for good in April 2020.

A Special Store for Travelers

Maisel's Indian Trading Post opened in 1939. Maurice and Cyma Maisel started the store. They wanted to sell items to tourists traveling along U.S. Route 66. This was a very popular road for travelers across America.

Building Design and Art

The building itself was very special. It was designed by a famous architect named John Gaw Meem. He used the Pueblo Revival style. This style looks like the traditional homes of the Pueblo people in New Mexico.

Inside, the building had amazing murals. Murals are large paintings on walls. These murals showed scenes of Native American life. Ten different Pueblo and Navajo artists painted them. Some of these artists included Narcisco Abeyta, Harrison Begay, and Awa Tsireh.

Supporting Native American Artists

Maisel's Indian Trading Post was important for many Native American artists. In its busiest times, the store employed hundreds of local craftspeople. They created beautiful jewelry, pottery, and other crafts. This helped support many families in the community.

The Store's History

The trading post first closed after its founder, Maurice Maisel, passed away. But it didn't stay closed forever! In the 1980s, Maurice's grandson, Skip, reopened the business. It was then known as Skip Maisel's Indian Jewelry and Crafts. The store continued to sell unique Native American items. Skip Maisel retired in the summer of 2019, and the business closed its doors for good.

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