El Bodegon Laredo, TX Thrift Store

    There are hundreds of stores from where to buy in our city and plenty of thrift stores that allow me to purchase some lovely collectibles. Lately, I have become enamored with items manufactured from 1977 to 1993. In Laredo, there are only so many second hand stores from where to buy. One such store is a hidden gem called El Bodegon. They sell housewared, toys, media, electronics and other cool items. I have found. While they are not the only thrift store in town, they are best. In a city inundated with ropa usada, El Bodegon offers a nice variety. It's local stores like this that keep me away from the mall and ugly corporate chains like Goodwill. 

Las Pulgas en Laredo, TX

If I have one hobby that I never pass up on the weekend, its going a pulgear (flea marketing). We do have several in Laredo: Guadalupe Heights Pulga, Pulga 359, Pulga en Park Street and Pulga La Blanca. However, at a recent trip to Pulga 359 I was surprised to see so many vacant spots. It was on a fair weathered Saturday morning and so many stalls were closed.

I had heard talk that the old pulga on 359 was being shut down, some might say relocated and it seems like that is truly happening. UISD is opening up a middle school just blocks away from this eye sore. Many vendors have already fled to the new pulga down the road, with its broad open spaces and clean facilities, it is light years ahead of the old one but without the vintage old merchandise found at the old 359 pulga.

Which makes me think, why are our local Laredo pulgas in odd locations.? One is near the city landfill and other adjacent to a headquarters for teen hoodlums. I guess this makes shopping fun and keeps us on our toes.