Origins

History

Established in 1977.

Over on West San Francisco Street, Origins has been an indispensable part of the Santa Fe scene for 32 years now. They understand what their customers want, because what they have is out of the ordinary, and it’s difficult to live here and be just plain ordinary. Under the influence of New Mexico’s rich and colorful heritage there’s just too much that’s beautiful to buy, that you won’t see anywhere else. And like Santa Fe’s other wandering citizens, Origins owner Judy Margolis can swap travel stories with the best of ‘em. She’s been to India over twenty-​four times, Afghanistan sixteen times, and everywhere else in between at least once.

Meet the Business Owner

judy M.

Business Owner

A native of Tucson, Margolis began as a social worker, setting up co-​operatives abroad. Eventually, she started bringing home ethnic clothing and goods to sell. «I’m passionate about the handwork,» Margolis said. «I love embroidery, beadwork, batik, cutwork, appliqué, and all kinds of embellishment,» she continued. «Fringe still drives me nutty.» Her world view is one reason why Origins appeals so much to the hearts and minds of Santa Feans. Step into the store, and you’re transported around the globe. It’s a multi-​cultural visual feast in there, some of it rare and disappearing fast. Clothing, collectibles, jewelry, accessories and artifacts from just about every tribal people you can think of are part of the mix. The adornment on everything, said Margolis, means more than mere aesthetics. «These were the sacred symbols,» she explained. «They passed on good luck and protection for health and well-​being. They carry the archetypes, the cultural DNA of a tribal people.»