Mexico's famous department store transformed into a significant cultural symbol
In the heart of Mexico City, a landmark department store named Sanborns has been a staple since 1903, when brothers Walter and Frank Sanborn, immigrants from California, opened Sanborns American Pharmacy on Calle Tacuba[1]. One of their most iconic sites, La Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles), is an 18th-century palace transformed into a Sanborns store around 1917-1919[4].
The transformation of the Casa de los Azulejos by Sanborns turned what was once a noble residence and later a private men’s club and clothing store into an iconic department store and restaurant[3][4]. Its stunning façade and ornate interior—featuring mosaics, murals by José Clemente Orozco, and a glass-covered courtyard with a Mudéjar fountain—make it a cultural and architectural symbol in Mexico City’s historic center[3][4].
Sanborns has played a major role in Mexican shopping culture by representing more than just a retail space. It combines dining, pharmacy, book and product retail, becoming a social and cultural hub. It has been compared to Woolworth’s in the U.S. for its cafeteria-style restaurant and variety store feel, though its historic and aesthetic appeal is the key draw[1][3]. It revolutionized modern retail in Mexico City, offering a multifaceted experience emblematic of Mexican urban life[1].
The store's opening on Oct. 11, 1919, was a success, making Sanborns a social hub that was neither home nor work[2]. Sanborns Casa de los Azulejos, located on Avenida Francisco I. Madero, features aisles of various items like puzzles, desk lamps, and stationery[3].
Despite its cultural importance, Sanborns has faced economic challenges in recent decades, with closures of several iconic locations due to increased competition and a need for modernization[2]. However, its flagship Casa de los Azulejos location remains central to its identity and is likely to remain open despite these shifts.
Sanborns has also adapted to the digital age, incorporating digital catalogs and in-store pickup[5]. The store's soda fountain, installed in their pharmacy, once made it a popular gathering place for the capital's elite and middle classes[1].
Sanborns has expanded aggressively since the mid-1980s, when Walgreens sold its shares to Grupo Carso, with Carlos Slim taking over[5]. By 2021, 196 Sanborns establishments could be found across Mexico in various forms[2]. In 2024, Sanborns reported 73.4 billion pesos in consolidated revenue[6].
Sanborns has been deeply ingrained in Mexican culture, with figures like Salvador Novo, one of Mexico's most prominent writers, referring to it in his 1946 urban chronicle "Nueva grandeza mexicana."[5] The signature dish at Sanborns Casa de los Azulejos is enchiladas suizas, recognized as a fundamental element of Mexican cuisine by La Gastronomía Mexicana[4].
In summary, Sanborns' history in Mexico City blends immigrant entrepreneurship, preservation and transformation of a historic building, and a lasting impact on Mexican consumer culture as both a department store and social venue[1][4][3][2].
- The iconic Sanborns store at the Casa de los Azulejos offers a variety of items, including puzzles and desk lamps.
- The soda fountain, once a popular gathering place at Sanborns Pharmacy, attracted the capital's elite and middle classes.
- Sanborns expanded aggressively after Walgreens sold its shares, with 196 establishments across Mexico by 2021.
- The signature dish at Sanborns Casa de los Azulejos, enchiladas suizas, is recognized as a fundamental element of Mexican cuisine.
- Sanborns has faced economic challenges, but its flagship Casa de los Azulejos location remains central to its identity.
- In 2024, Sanborns reported 73.4 billion pesos in consolidated revenue, reflecting its lasting impact on consumer culture and business in Mexico.
