Photos by Werner Segarra

Owners: Roni (pictured) and Gary Washington
Opened: December 2005
Location: 3426 E. Baseline Road, Suite 109, Mesa
Hours: Sunday and Monday, noon-5 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Phone: (480) 632-2360
History: An artisan-made dining table and chairs from Guatemala got the business wheels turning for Roni and Gary Washington. The Arizona couple has always loved to travel, seeking out the wares that make each country they visit unique. The Washingtons were so intrigued by the possibilities of importing the dining set and other handcrafts from Mexico, Central America, Turkey and Israel, that Roni left her job as an economist, and the pair launched Tipicas at the end of 2005.
Philosophy: Roni explains that part of the reason she and Gary opened the shop was to help bring prosperity to cultures that may be struggling. “That makes me feel good,” she says. In addition, the couple wants to encourage artisans to pass their skills along to their children by offering a place to sell the wares.
What’s in store: One-of-a-kind items abound in this shop, which carries an array of traditional and authentic goods. Options include colorful Talavera pots and planters, hand-carved pine furniture, Aztec calendar wall plaques, and ceramic pineapples that function as vases or lamp bases. Hand-painted wood trays and mirrors from Mexico are displayed alongside hand-quilted blankets and pillows from Guatemala. In addition, artwork is featured, including forged metal sculptures and lithographs. Inventory changes often, thanks to frequent buying trips, which also enable the owners to search for client-requested items.