Each time I enter Que Chula, I find another reason to get lost. The eclectic store carries utilitarian items for the home and especially the kitchen. Take a look at their line of Mexican oilcloth and glassware, or their simple wooden bowls. Pottery with the colorful animals, flowers and swirling motifs of Mexico come in plates, cups, pitchers and large bowls. Blown glassware in blues and brights call out for margarita recipes.
Whimsy and charm abounds, which is to be expected in a store with Mexican imports. The punched tin items range from small boxes to ornate candelabras. Each item is carefully painted with the bright colors Mexico is well known for. Don't miss the sculpted tin items, especially the large mirror with the painted red roses which hangs behind the check out area.
Painted furniture can range from small chairs for children to large armoires and tables for the dining area. Other Mexican furniture, such as Equipales chairs and tables, and hand carved wooden items, are also found.
It's a great place to pick up religious kitsch items. If you collect Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) items, you won't want to miss what they have to offer. There are also Virgen de Guadalupe items, from matchboxes to mouse pads to ceramic madonnas.
They have a large line of Mexican folk art items. Papier mache ranges from a dog driving a car to a large skeleton woman smoking a long cigarette. Ceramic chickens, dogs, vaqueros and other items line the shelves.
The walls are covered with coco masks, those bright round faces of every sort, punched tin hearts, birds and Madonnas, and many kinds of punched tin mirrors.
The store stocks a large number of fashion items. Purses can be made of oilcloth, tooled leather or cloth. Jewelry in silver and tin ranges from earrings to bracelets to belt buckles with designs in devil, madonna and many more motifs.
Albuquerque has a number of Mexican imports stores, and Que Chula carries a very large range of items. Stepping through its doors feels very much like stepping into a Mexican mercado.
