On the Turquoise TrailWe weren't expecting to run into the shopping mecca of Madrid, but we were glad that we did. Madrid, N.M., is a magical place, and a big part of that magic is in the way the town sneaks up on you. Driving south along Route 14 from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, we saw ranches and desert, then suddenly found ourselves on Main Street, Madrid. The beautifully stark desert landscape gave way to a cluster of small houses where dogs wander aimlessly down the street. Signs advertising pottery, fine art, jewelry and tapestries hung outside of almost every house. People sipped lattes at an outdoor café. We had to stop.
If magic is all about the things you don't see, then Madrid's got plenty. You won't see a franchise restaurant. You won't find a well-lit, security-patrolled parking lot or even parking meters. You won't find any of the things that other towns put in place to facilitate the parting of you from your cash. But if you go to Madrid, be ready to leave behind a few dollars because, as we found out, the shopping is fantastic. You'll find things there that you won't find anywhere else — fine art, handmade furniture, imported rugs, and locally crafted jewelry — all in stores we had never heard of. You won't find any surly sales clerks in Madrid, either; in fact, chances are that if you see a name on the sign out front, you'll probably be talking to that very person in the store.
The entire industry is dedicated to the art of making people comfortable in a shopping atmosphere — we think that it happens because people care about preserving and nurturing their small town. Therein lies the magic of Madrid. | 
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