October 17, 2019
Volume 49 - No. 42
by lyle e davis
Remember back in the days of pioneers, of trappers and hunters, and brave, hardy souls who chose to pioneer and headed out west to seek fame and fortune?
And remember when they ran low on supplies how they’d stop at the Trading Post to stock up on supplies, exchanging cash, or sometimes barter.
A similar phenomenon developed in the Indian Trading Posts. These were patronized by not only hunters, trappers and travelers but by Indians themselves. They’d bring in beaver pelts, venison, woven baskets, clay pottery, clothing, ornaments, and trade for what they needed. A colorful part of our American history.
But that history lives on today and you can see a beautiful example right here in North County. The Indian Store, located at 950 Hacienda Drive, in Vista, is the modern day version of the old Indian Trading Post. I can remember its origins. It was a small Indian memorabilia shop in the old Escondido Village Mall, owned and operated by Leo Calac and called The Indian Shop. When Mr. Calac decided to close up shop, Larry Benson came along and bought the existing inventory and proceeded to grow the business.
Larry was a visionary and decid ed to really expand this store. He moved to a larger location on Valley Parkway - was there for about five years; later, he moved to El Norte Parkway and was in that location for six to seven years. Finally, he found the perfect location in Vista and has a building with about 13,000 sq. feet, about 8,000 sq. feet are on the first floor which serves as the showroom. And what a showroom!
Today, you’ll find all kinds of unique Indian arts and crafts inside throughout the store. Larry, with the enthusiastic support of his wife, Kim, has acquired merchandise from most all the Indian nations: Sioux, Apache, Navajo, The Paper - 760.747.7119
website:www.thecommunitypaper.com
email: thepaper@cox.net
Kumeyaay, Pima, Comanche, Zuni, Kiowa, Hopi, you name the Indian nation and chances are you’ll find memorabilia from that nation within the store. Some of the memorabilia falls into the collectible category.
Always wanted a comfortable pair of mocassins? Real Indian mocassins? The Indian Store has ‘em. Always wanted a bona fide Indian war bonnet? The
Indian Store has them. (Just the thing to wear during the next Easter Parade).
Someone had to pull it all together, price it, display it, sell it.
All of this memorabilia and merchandise didn’t just happen.
Three or four times a year he’ll drive his truck to places like Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming . . wherever there is Native American art work, pottery, clothing, that will fit in his shop.
Bows, arrows, tomahawks, hand crafted silver jewelry, turquoise, authentiic Indian clothing, artifacts from hundreds of years ago, you’ve got it all at The Indian Store.
The Indian Store - See Page 2
That person is Larry Benson.