Taos ranked among top 10 towns for shopping

USA Today recently named Taos as one of the best small towns in the U.S. for shopping, ranking in at number six.

The deciding factors that put Taos on the list included its rich history intertwined with an artisan culture centered around handmade goods, describing the town as a “Native American enclave.”

“The USA Today’s list highlights Taos as one of the best small towns for shopping in the country, with its unique mix of art, fashion and culture,” said Emily Martin, the account executive at Idea Peddler, a Santa Fe-based advertising agency. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local business owners who provide exceptional products and services to our community and visitors.”

Taos came in behind Highlands, N.C., which came in fifth. Ocean Springs, Miss., located on Biloxi Bay, took the top spot on the list.

USA Today’s 10 Best is a series of listicles published throughout the year that feature some of the nation’s finest offerings. The “Best Small Town for Shopping” list is among the “10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards,” which is an annual list featuring small towns across the nation. The criteria for a small town, as defined by the listicle, is any town with a population of less than 25,000. USA Today readers voted for the towns, which were picked by a “panel of experts.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Taos had 1,045 unique employer establishments in 2020, the latest statistic for that information. However, Taos’ economy is rapidly changing as new businesses open and close every week.