Shops at
Mercado de Baca
published in the Tubac Villager, April 2008
Sole Shoes & Chios Fresh Produce Wear
in Tubac
by Ellen Sussman,
Warmer days are here and two colorful new shops in Mercado de Baca can outfit virtually every woman with stylish, colorful and comfortable clothing and shoes.
Tubac's beautiful Mercado de Baca.
photo by Joseph Birkett
Starting from the bottom up, Sole is all about shoes and offers an eclectic mix of styles, many perfect for warmer weather. Chios is a Fresh Produce shop and features a brilliant array of ultra-comfy tees, tanks, pants, dresses and jackets in sizes from infants six months to 3x.
Sole opened in October—and is solely owned by Donna Culver whose passion is cowboy boots. She has a varied selection for men and women; men’s boots are only sold “used,” women’s boots are available new and “used.
Donna Culver of Sole Shoes by one the many attractive displays at Sole.
photo by Ellen Sussman
While it may seem odd to buy a pair of boots worn by someone else Culver said people love buying cowboy boots that are already broken in. “We’ve sold over 200 pairs of used boots since opening,” she said, and is always looking to buy used boots.
A fun shoe store, Sole’s goal is selling comfortable shoes that are still stylish, and Mephisto, Ariat and BrandX fill the bill. Wolky is a Dutch-made comfort shoe and Tsonga is made in South Africa. For spring and summer there’s a great selection in periwinkle, red and green that will coordinate well with a fine line of leather or colorful Guatamalen-made handbags.
photo by Joseph Birkett
Touches of shoe whimsy can be found throughout the shop; there’s a blue glass vase boot and an oversized wooden shoe planter. Culver also found a 2008 shoe-themed calendar and Tubac Old Town artist Roberta Rogers has custom painted Culver’s cowboy boots on canvas.
Adding to the whimsy, Culver has started a “shoe museum” that will feature the unusual—and perhaps uncomfortable—in footwear. First to be displayed are a pair of black patent leather platforms with 7-inch heels. Hardly ideal for walking around and enjoying Tubac’s array of shops, they’re great to admire!
photo by Joseph Birkett
One item that stood out as totally different and delightful are cowgirl slippers by Ciccia Bella. Soft and cushy with a western theme design, they come packaged in a tote with a see-through front pocket and were a big seller at Christmas.
Sole is open Monday – Saturday
from 11 to 5; Sunday 12 – 4.
19 Tubac Road • 520-398-2201
Chios is a Fresh Produce-brand shop, and for those who crave the company’s colorful and comfortable clothes Chios is a one-stop shopping haven. Sunil Patel and his wife Rocio opened in mid January; they own another Fresh Produce shop in Michigan. “They’re a great company to work with,” Sunil said, adding “We’re the largest retailer of Fresh Produce south of Phoenix.”
Sunil Patel and his wife Rocio
photo by Ellen Sussman
Visiting Tucson for the Gem Show in 1998 the couple came through Tubac, fell in love with the area and have now realized a business dream of opening a second shop.
Attractively-displayed racks and shelves show the season’s fresh colors and styles of every day and resort wear clothing. Rocio said each season the company comes out with a new palette of individually-named colors and designs. This season’s hot-selling full spectrum of colors include Calypso, Sunny, Tahiti, Caterpillar, Cool Maui and Lemon Grass.
“We have fun, stylish, comfortable and colorful clothes—and pieces coordinate so it’s easy to put an outfit together. We have V-nick tees with colorful designs or solids to cater to every customer in sizes X-Small to 3x,” Rocio explained. The designs add an extra splash of color while solids are always a wardrobe basic.
A new item in the Fresh Produce line are denim jeans. Offered in sizes 4 to 16 and in two washes; there’s the regular length plus shorter clam diggers for warmer days. There’s also coordinating jean jackets.
Tying in with Fresh Produce’s fresh colors, Chios also carries Vera Bradley handbags and totes, which coordinate well. And a line of summer-bright thongs with interchangeable bows add the finishing touch to clothing that’s cool and comfortable for Arizona’s torrid days to come.
Open seven days 10 to 5
19 Tubac Road • 520-398-8596
Mercado de Baca offers a great mix of other shops. There’s the eclectic Crowe’s Nest, Tortuga Books with a fine and varied collection of books and greeting cards, Accent on Mexico with a colorful and tasteful collection of Mexican and southwestern home accessories and the Karin Newby Gallery for the art aficionado—all of which lead to Shelby’s Bistro with covered, outdoor seating for lunch and dinner.
