About Us

Packard’s on the Plaza, Inc.
Since 1920

Packard’s on the Plaza is located in the heart of Santa Fe at the end of the Old Santa Fe Trail, and houses a unique collection of international art including jewelry from local Southwest artisans to New York designers, handmade pottery from Native American Pueblos to tableware crafted in Mexico, Katsina doll carvings from the Hopi Reservation to handmade weavings from the Navajo Reservation and Oriental weavings from more than 8 countries. Though the store has expanded it’s collection of artists and designers over our 90 year history, the Packard’s name is still identified as the Trusted Source.

In the 1950's, Al Packard inherited the business from his parents Frank and Marie Packard the company's founders. Soon afterwards Al became known as one of the most trusted traders of authentic Indian arts and crafts in the country. As a member and chairman of the New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs in 1959 (the predecessor organization to our modern day SWAIA, Southwestern Association for Indian Arts) Al Packard and his board began to reshape the Fiesta Indian Market which was originally started back in 1922 with the first Indian Fair. Their efforts during the 1960's and 1970's grew this event to the Indian Market of today which is the premiere showing of Native American art in the world.  Al was also instrumental in helping to craft legislation to protect both Native American artists and consumers of southwestern Indian arts and crafts.

In 1974 Carolyn and Richard Canon moved to Santa Fe and acquired a trading post where over the next five years they developed lasting relationships in the Native American community and learned the craft of identifying authentic, quality Native American and ethnic art in Santa Fe. The Canon’s eye for the best merchandise and their desire to carry authentic pieces, together with their conscientious business ethics caused Al Packard to contact them when he decided to sell Packards. After only a two hour long meeting in late 1979, Al Packard agreed to sell Packard's to Richard and Carolyn Canon on a hand shake and thus began a new chapter in the Packard's story.

Because the Packard’s name had grown to be synonymous with authenticity, the Canons chose not to change the stores name after the purchase and instead embarked on a journey to grow the Packard's name as the "Trusted Source". In the 1980's Santa Fe began to grow as a destination frequented by thousands of national and international visitors each year. During this time, Stanley Marcus, who made the Neiman Marcus stores into a national icon of luxury and taste, became a frequent customer.

Over the years Mr. Marcus became a friend of the Canon’s and began to advise them on techniques and sources to develop an atmosphere of southwestern elegance in Packard's. Soon afterwards, the Canon's began a plan to expand and transform Packard's into the store we see now. The Canon's also learned from Mr. Marcus the skill of identifying quality merchandise on an international level. This skill was put to use soon afterwards during their subsequent overseas buying trips where they sought to bring an exciting and eclectic mix of national and international artist works to Packard's in Santa Fe.

In modern day, Packard's continues to represent the Southwest's premiere Native American artisans including Robert Tenorio, Grace Nez, Stetson Honyumptewa, Cheryl Yestewa, Randall Chitto and Artie Yellowhorse, as well as award winning local artisans including Lawrence Baca, Pam Springall and Scott Diffrient to name a few. Packard's also represents a broad array of highly acclaimed national and international designers including Gurhan, Jude Frances, Emily Armenta, John Hardy, Jordan Schlanger, Dian Malouf, Ippolita, Emilia Castillo and IWC.

Housed in more than 5000 beautiful square feet on the historic 400 year old Santa Fe Plaza, Packard's welcomes thousands of customers and visitors through its historic doors each year. We are proud of our heritage and hope that your experience with us, whether in person or online, lives up to the great Packard's tradition and the Canon family legacy.