Our History
Harl Dixon has always had an interest in architecture, antiques and different cultures. He spent his early years on a ranch in Nebraska, graduated from high school in South Africa and held jobs everywhere from Nigeria to California. His educational background is in architecture and art history. Twenty years ago, he stepped off a plane in El Paso and decided that with this climate and blending of cultures El Paso was where he wanted to be.
Dixon's business was vision to create a place where you could find both one-of-a-kind antiques and new designs of furniture and accent pieces. This business, Galeria San Ysidro, was started in an old restaurant building on Socorro Road in El Paso's lower valley. In 1995, he moved into a 62,000-square foot, three-story former garment factory near downtown El Paso. Although the display space at the new location is much greater than the old, it is still filled with all kinds of treasures.
Galeria San Ysidro feels like a cross between a huge antique store and a museum. Remote pickers and scavengers around the world bring a wonderful selection of antiques and ethnic utilitarian objects of art to Dixon. Pieces come from Mexico, India, Spain, Pakistan, Morocco, and several other countries in Africa. These items make up roughly half of the store's inventory. His design interests range from furniture to lighting and wrought iron work. Galeria San Ysidro sells to builders, designers, decorators, landscapers, galleries, movie set decorators as well as to more ordinary people with good taste. Pieces from the store have been highlighted in numerous magazines and feature films. Several hours are needed to get beyond the surface.
Galeria San Ysidro is located at 801 Texas Avenue, near downtown El Paso and just four blocks east of the Wells Fargo bank building. Shipping can be arranged. The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and also Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; call 915-544-4444.
