LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER of Historic Places, Richardson Trading Post stands out with retro neon signs and display windows filled with Native pottery, rugs, and jewelry. Inside, 3,000 Navajo rugs, case after case of intricate jewelry, tooled leather saddles, and other items fill the store to the rafters.
DURING THE ’50S and ’60s, Route 66 travelers were looking more for curio shops. Now, Richardson Trading Post is more of a destination stop for people who want to get quality rugs, jewelry, pottery.
WHAT GIVES ME the greatest joy is when people ask what kind of turquoise is used in the different types of jewelry or say, “Tell me about this rug.”
MANY OF THE travelers who stop here are trying to relive what they did when they were kids. We’re trying to cater to different generations of people. We set a selfie spot in our bay windows for people, with Route 66 on one side and Richardson on the other side.