A new Latin-inspired home furnishings store has opened on the outskirts of Bishop Arts in Dallas. The store, called Tlazo, is located in a vintage building at 411 N. Tyler St. in the former Ann’s Nutrition, next to Hola Café.
Mr. Tlazo comes from Alejandro Gonzalez, an interior designer who has worked for more than a decade at companies such as Deborah Walker and Associates, Embree & Lake Antiques and Holly Hunt Showroom, where he was responsible for importing from Mexico.
His shop is a mix of home furnishings, antiques, art, stationery, and candles, with an emphasis on his Latin roots. Furniture, pillows, fabrics, books, kitchenware, baskets, gifts, pottery, art and more.
Gonzalez is originally from Coahuila, Mexico, and moved here when he was four years old. While traveling to Mexico as an interior designer, he met many local artisans and reconnected with the more modern aspects of his culture.
“I fell in love with my culture again and wanted to know more about it, things I didn’t know growing up in America,” he says.
It was a dream to own my own store. That came about when he heard about the former Anne’s space from a landlord he was working with.
“It was a divine initiative,” he says.
He and his husband, Aaron Boles, have created a meticulously designed space that is warm and inviting. Tlazo is a word that means “precious and dear” in Nahuat (an indigenous language of Central America), and is also the origin of the word gratitude.
“I wanted to incorporate my culture into my business, and I thought that was a great word,” Gonzalez says.
The store carries a large selection of products from Mexico, but also stocks products from Portugal, the United Kingdom, India, and Colombia, with plans to continue expanding to other regions.
An example of a current collection is:
Repair linens, napkins, and table runners. The Dallas organization works with Indian indentured servants to help them escape their situation through fair trade activities. Don Lino – A Dallas-based company specializing in stylish Mexican tableware with roots in refined Mexican hospitality. Caminito – Los Angeles is a supplier of beach blankets and picnic blankets made by Mexican artisans who earn a legitimate income and preserve their craft.
The store purchases over 50% of its collection directly from artisans.
“We want people to come here and feel joy in everything that’s going on in the world. It’s a place to come and smile,” Gonzalez says.
