A mock mountain rises from the center of Scottsdale Southwest, a fitting tribute to the sandstone and red rock landscape beyond the second-generation shop’s entry doors. The creative display for children’s souvenirs holds books and plush that are intentionally desert themed.
“We want guests to find something in our shop that is memorable from their trip here,” says Joy Weber, who runs the store in Scottsdale, Arizona, alongside her husband, Adam.
The store displays plush that are relevant to the region, such as desert-dwelling reptiles, horses and wildcats.
Old Town Scottsdale is a destination shop-dine district with an artsy western feel. Guests can gaze at endless blue sky and the McDowell mountains from restaurants in town. There are a variety of boutiques, galleries of all kinds and shops. Since nearby Phoenix is a gateway airport for those visiting The Grand Canyon, there’s a steady stream of traffic.
“I frequently hear people say, ‘I’m local but I bring all of my out-of-town guests to this store,’” Joy says.
A calling
Scottsdale Southwest has a following that started in the early 1980s when Joy’s enterprising parents opened it in the popular 5th Avenue Shopping District. “They started with brass and watches, and people would ask for different souvenirs, so they started adding more items,” says Joy.
The business grew and moved to its current location on busy North Brown Avenue, and the family opened a second shop nearby called Southwest Reflections, initially selling high-end baskets and ceramics. (Now the boutique offers women’s apparel and decor, not competing with the original store.)
“I would help out my parents, attending trade shows,” says Joy, who also manned the family’s ice cream shop, Cactus Cones. Years later, it was a regular date spot for her and Adam.
Apparel with southwestern themes such as cowboys along with Arizona name drop are plentiful at Scottsdale Southwest.
Photos: Cyndi Hardy
Both pursued different careers — Joy in graphic design and Adam in business and law. After they married in 2003 and started a family, welcoming Leo and Madeline, the family faced a challenging journey. Then four years old, Leo was diagnosed with Stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer requiring 10 months of treatment.
“It illuminated the importance of family and connection with others,” says Joy.
When her parents considered selling the business, the Webers realized their calling.
“It naturally became a discussion of how we could continue the legacy my parents started while supporting our family, our employees, our vendors and our community,” says Joy, noting they had become involved in a number of pediatric cancer charities.
Leo is now in college and thriving, cancer free. And the Webers continue to nurture their stores and family of longtime employees, while modernizing the initial business concept. The mountain replica was introduced during a store renovation, as was a fountain and bowl-shaped rock feature brimming with polished souvenir stones.
These fun features make the shop is every bit as much of a memory for visitors as exploring Old Town Scottsdale.
Stocked with southwest souvenirs
Name-drop apparel is aplenty at Scottsdale Southwest, with more than 70 designs. Many “have western flair,” says Joy, pointing to a cat wearing a cowboy hat. “Another popular one is a meme: Taco Cat,” she says.
A women’s T-shirt in desert brown with a vintage vibe reads, “When the going gets tough, cowgirl up!”
The expansive apparel options come in designs that celebrate mountains and include Arizona name-drop clothing. The Webers are always adding to the mix, meeting with vendors at gift shows.
Adam and Joy Weber
Kids apparel is housed in the children’s department, along with a wall of infant, baby and toddler items. This flows into a space with toys, games and other souvenirs. There’s a Monopoly Scottsdale Edition and a Grow a Cowboy kit with a figurine you drop in water.
As for plush on the main display, Joy stays true to the region. “We keep it relevant and don’t go too far out of our genre,” she says, naming animals like javelina, snakes, scorpions and lizards.
Sticking to the theme
While the shop offers a wide selection of cactus merch, you can buy the real deal, too. A section is dedicated to live cacti grown locally by a family-owned business the Webers have worked with for years.
“We ship them all over the continental U.S.,” Adam says.
The store sources from national vendors but also emphasizes supporting the community’s entrepreneurs.
A department dedicated to an array of kitchenware includes serving plates, coasters, trivets, decorative towels and placemats, mugs, bowls and other dishes in fiesta and southwestern color schemes.
A cutout in the wall is home to a glass cactus display, also locally sourced. Holiday ornaments are popular and made by local artisans.
Their formula for success: Stay in your lane. Their other shop, Southwest Reflections, does the same. “It’s more boutique-y,” Joy says.
The Webers are grateful for healthy tourism to Old Town Scottsdale — there are few bumps in the road as they carry on the business. Joy says, “It’s something we hope to continue for many years to come.”
