Sanborns

The namesake Sanborns chain began in the early 20th century as a transplant of the American coffee shop (diner) to Mexico City.

[2] Larger locations also function as a junior department store, including departments such as:[3] As of 2021, 196 Sanborns were located across Mexico plus one in El Salvador, with a total floor area of 283,475 square metres (3,051,300 sq ft), and average of 1,439 square metres (15,490 sq ft) per store.

[6] During the Mexican Revolution, troops of Emiliano Zapata used a Sanborns branch located where the Libreria Madero is today, as a rendezvous point and gathering place.

In 1919, Walter Sanborn, tired of the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, returned to the US and left the management of the company to his brother Frank.

Also in 1919, Sanborns acquired its most famous branch location, the 16th century House of Tiles, Casa de los Azulejos, a colonial mansion that is a major tourist attraction and national monument, its inside decorated with a mural by José Clemente Orozco.

The Sanborns chain operates a full e-commerce website selling a wide range of merchandise from the categories found in its physical stores (gifts, cosmetics, electronics, etc.