Sunday, October 21, 2001
33 Trade Center
The kitchen sink is about the only thing that the Corpus Christi Trade Center claims not to sell. It attracts 4,000 to 10,000 shoppers each weekend.
Number of vendors
More than 200, some of whom travel from San Antonio, Houston and Nuevo Laredo.
Shopping square feet
90,000
In case you couldn't find it elsewhere
Mystical candles, healing oils, tarot cards and books on how to cast spells at J&E Bits and Pieces; more than 1,000 different tattoo choices at Skin Illusions Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio; fishnet hosiery at Chong's Socks & Stuff; miniature Buddhas at Leah's Oriental Gifts; anklets and faux hair pieces at A's Uniforms; rhinestone tiaras at M&M Imports; lucky bamboo at Tommie Mc African Root Boutique
High-rollers' shopping list
A men's 4.10-carat center diamond ring surrounded by four carats in diamonds set in white 18 karat gold at Reflections Jewelry ($45,000); a ¾-carat pear-shaped women's diamond ring at Banda's Jewelers ($1,500); custom made initialized ostrich and calfskin custom made boots at Cavazos Boot Factory ($850); three-piece living room sets ($500 to $995) at Paul's Furniture; a show saddle ($800) at Ramon's Leather Goods
Bargain hunters' list
Mexican candies (start at a quarter), Loteria card set ($3), 50 garlic cloves ($8) at Tower Imports; $1 work gloves and $2 pliers; a children's bow and arrow set ($3) at Charlie's Toys; sunglasses ($2-8) at Texappeal gift; men's, ladies' and children's 5-pack socks (around $5) at Chong's Socks & Stuff; herbal supplements (start at $10) at Heavenly Herbs; a 30-inch-tall plaster praying angel ($12) at Lerma International; non-prescription color contact lenses ($20) at Longoria's Colored Contacts; nurses' scrubs ($22.99) at A's Uniforms; Avon gift baskets for less than $25 at The Avon Lady; formal dresses (start at $55) at M&M Imports; imported rugs ($169) at Rugs Mart.
Mundane
Hair accessories at Lowrider T-shirts; Matrix, Joico and Paul Mitchell hair care products at Haircuts Only; ladies' purses and wallets at Maybell's; kids' backpacks (Hello Kitty, Powerpuff Girls, Winnie the Pooh, and Tweety) at Chong's Socks & Stuff; tricycles, walkers and strollers at M&M Imports; kids' western wear and men's western shirts at South Tex Boots.
Attention, collectors
Collectible sports and Pokémon cards at Rudy's Cards; Hot Wheels and Star Wars action figures at Cosmic World of Comics; lamps and old-fashioned dolls at Cindy's Treasure Box; antique furniture, jewelry, hats and glass collectibles at The Pumpkin Patch; holsters and leather items at Ramon's Leather Goods; Ty Beanie Babies at Leeann's Beanie Babies; assorted NFL and NASCAR Zippo lighters and shot glasses at J's Discount Sports Apparel.
Specialty items
Hand-held American flags (different sizes) at Ana's; Peruvian guinea pigs, tropical fish, hamsters, parakeets and bird cages at Pet Shack; low-cost pet vaccinations the first Saturday of each month at the Mobile Petcare Clinic of Texas; cowboy hats at Don Pancho's Hats; Native American outfits and crafts at Little Bears Den; wedding, quinceanera, and baptism dresses at Vanessa's Wedding Dresses; ceramic, clay and papier-mache wall hangings at Blanca's Imports.
Food
Sandwiches at Subway; fruit cups, smoothies, milkshakes and shrimp cocktail at Palacios Fruit Stand; roasted corn on the cob with cayenne pepper, Parmesan cheese or lemon pepper at Rosty Corn; pizza and meat empanadas at Lynn's Pizza.