Chile Addict

The Chile Addict feels at first like this shop really belongs in with the antique shops above Nob Hill, downtown or next to Walgreens near Oldtown. It was in the Princess Jeanne Shopping Center before and moved to it’s current location about 12 years ago. This store is difficult to describe. It feels like a pricey tourist souvenir shop that decided to go thrift store too. With so much going on everywhere inside it’s walls (the close & packed isles) it feels nice and cozy at first and then claustrophobic after a while. From floor to ceiling
Here is the UPSIDE: It really does have most everything chile related. Salsas, candy, hot sauce, aprons, napkins, cookie jars, cookie cutters, candles, wrapping paper, material, cookbooks, calendars, socks, boxer, tees, earrings, seeds, sauces, powders and ristras from real to light strings. In addition, you’ll find many things Southwestern like howling coyotes, kokopellis, etc., NM related (Zia stuff, balloon fiesta items, Rt 66) and even UNM Lobo items. You’ll see Native gifts like dream catchers and Kachina dolls. Candles, incense, NM Piñón Coffee products, loose teas, soup & sopapilla mixes, atole, Desert Gardens products and even the red/​green tortilla chips available anywhere. There is a party section (with streamers from Party City), a tiny souvenir section with shot glasses, stickers, pens, magnets, key-​chains, etc., a ceramic tile area, windchimes area, cookbook & calendar area. Christmas ornaments, cookie jars, towel sets, placemats and coffee mugs. A jewelry counter and walls full of pictures, painting and crosses.
You may think I’ve included everything in the store in this list. I assure you I have not.
The DOWNSIDE: It is expensive. Even the broken sets and items in their clearance section that are chipped/​broken/​etc. are still high. We asked about the price on a few coasters and were told they were just what was left of a larger set that they no longer stock. When we asked the price on the remainder, we were given an oddly high number which would total more than the set price and told it was because we were now buying individual pieces.
It has too much junk. It feels like you’ve visited a stall at the flea market where people are selling their personal junk along with merchandise. Old vhs tapes, outdated cans of cola, ornaments and too many assorted oddities can be found here.
It was hot. Both of my last two visits were in summer months and while their A/​C was running, it was hot in there.
A very interesting browse but you can do better in Old Town.

This is an old fashioned souvenir shop, like stepping into the past; cluttered and dusty with all sorts of interesting things. One of the interesting things is lots of different hot sauces, chiles. They have a big collection of novelty hot sauces, funny, even a bit naughty. The prices are a bit on the high side I think but time is money and you find it all here.
Also on the web at
.