It was an exciting time in 2008, when we designed the building to house the new Jan Marie Boutique Gallery. It is on the busy corner across from Mark’s Bar & Grill where we wanted to create an attractive structure that would shine on Lazaro Cardenas and give Bucerias an elegant aspect. Very little in the way of art or architectural interest existed back then. Our goal was to beautify the street and set a tone. The town was growing fast. The street and look indeed evolved to have the wonderful quality restaurants and art stores we imagined.

When the Jan Marie Boutique Gallery was finally completed after several delays (the onyx floor took two months to polish), a group of friends helped clean the windows and move in the items we had waiting to be displayed. That day, February 13th 2008, as we put the pieces in their places, I said, “I think we are open”. It was, in fact, my mother’s birthday. She would have been very happy for me. The Jan Marie name was her idea.

I was anxious to show the amazing array of Mexican furniture and art  for both new home owners moving to Bucerias who were having difficulty knowing where to find that special piece for their new houses and condos and also for the brilliant artists and artisans whose work was not well represented in the region. Mark and I have been traveling Mexico for 20 years buying for the small Boutique next to Mark’s and had many contacts and artists who were happy to work with us. I was thrilled to work with these craftsmen designing custom pieces for clients and the Gallery. It is very rewarding when a lamp or chair arrives that started as a drawing or just an idea. Many of the towns we visit are quite poor. Although they produce great work, they don’t know how to find a market. Buying from them has helped the artisans and their families put children in school and in better health and improved the towns’ economies overall. Some of those children are now the artists, having grown up to carry on the family business and we still buy from them.