The Little Shop opens on Kit Carson Road
New York native relocates boutique from Las Cruces to Taos
A new gift shop and boutique has opened up in the Taos Historic District. The Little Shop, owned and operated by Patricia Jimenez, offers various sustainably-sourced items for sale — ranging from local offerings to merchandise she selects on various trips.
Tucked away in a corner spot next to Cabot Plaza, just across the street from the Kit Carson Museum, the shop’s unassuming entrance leads way to a large adobe gallery-space, in which Jimenez, a New York native, aims to show off her favorite aspects of fashion, jewelry and handcrafted goods.
Jimenez decided it was time to leave New York around the time the pandemic hit, and found herself in Las Cruces, where she opened her first iteration of her shop: “The Little Shop on Main.”
In her 200-square-foot Las Cruces space, she began curating a unique shopping experience for tourists and locals alike. However, as business ramped up, she realized she needed more space, and decided to relocate to Taos, officially opening up her shop on Kit Carson Road on March 1.
“I felt that my capabilities were capped [in Las Cruces] and I needed to come to Taos,” Jimenez said. “There’s a lot of tourism here, it’s fantastic, and the location was just a fit for my store.”
Jimenez said she personally chooses every item that she carries in her store, and is very picky about what she carries. “A lot of my furniture is from Mexico, so if
I have to get in my car and go to Mexico, I will go to Mexico. I literally handpick everything. I’m very particular with my textiles I carry and the suppliers I work with. They have to be very reliable.”
Jimenez described The Little Shop as a “general merchandise boutique… People can kind of get a little bit of everything under this roof,” she said. “They can shop for
a piece of art, and get their travel essentials, or if they’re a local, they can pick up a shirt.”
She said she is working to keep a balance of items attractive to both locals and tourists. “One thing that I’ve gotten from people is a lot of the locals feel like this is something they’ve always needed in town, with everything under one roof.”
Aside from the clothing (like Lost Horizons hoodies and T-shirts from local artist Saba), jewelry and housewares, The Little Shop also has various handcrafted soaps, Humble Brands deodorant, and even snacks and drinks.
“I try to make sure that I cater to a wide audience. Not just tourists, not just locals, not just adults, but kids also,” she said, noting that
millennials seem to be pleased with her selection of clothing, which she likes to keep fresh, sometimes not reordering certain clothes as they run out. “If I run out, I may not continue carrying that brand because I like to mix things up and I like to keep my store interesting. I try to keep the
‘I try to make sure that I cater to a wide audience. Not just tourists, not just locals, not just adults, but kids also.’
PATRICIA JIMENEZ
Owner of The Little Shop
items in my store exclusive.”
Jimenez is looking forward to expanding her store and making full use of her new 1,500-squarefoot space, perhaps opening up the extra room as an art gallery or making a bedspread (something visitors have requested) and homeware-specific section.
She hopes to do a grand opening the first week of May, fit with a ribbon cutting and political appearances. Being a Taos Chamber of Commerce member, she said the chamber will be assisting her with the event.
Jimenez’s store is open six days a week, from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can find The Little Shop on Instagram @thelittleshoponmainst.