Independents

The Mexican Shack to Close After 47 Years

IndependentsMay 25, 2022

The Mexican Shack to Close After 47 Years

Owner Steve Delzio shares his thoughts on retirement after nearly five decades in the jewelry industry.

20220525_Mexican Shack header.jpg
The Mexican Shack, seen here at its original location, is closing its doors after 47 years.
Somers, New York—The year was 1973 and would-be jeweler Steve Delzio was packing up his van full of the treasures he’d uncovered during his excursion out west.

He was on a journey to learn more about Native American and Mexican culture, but his parents’ 25th anniversary celebration beckoned him back to his hometown of Somers, New York.

Delzio planned to sell his trinkets to fund his trip, and the response from buyers was overwhelmingly positive, so much so that he found himself traveling out west again to stock up.

He spent two years forging relationships with Native American artists, making several trips a year to Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico.

In 1975, Delzio rented a 600-square-foot space in his hometown to sell his haul, stocked with everything from hand-painted clay pots to turquoise jewelry.

He dubbed his store “The Mexican Shack.”


Delzio’s venture was successful, and in 1989, construction began on a new, larger property.

In 1990, the new Mexican Shack opened, with more than 4,000 square feet of space. More than 30 years later, he still refers to it as the “new store.”

It may seem an unconventional name for a jewelry store, but when he polled his customers about renaming the new store, they insisted he keep it.

Next month, 47 years after its opening, The Mexican Shack will hold a retirement sale.

“We’ve had a good 47 years. So I just thought it was time to sit back,” Delzio said in an interview with National Jeweler.

Delzio is approaching 70 and he, and his longtime staff, are ready to call it a day.

While the store may be closing, Delzio isn’t exactly retiring.

“I do look forward to starting an online presence. Nothing crazy. I just want to get up in the morning, put a couple of pieces online and see what happens and go from there,” he said.

He’d also like to exhibit at some smaller shows, reaching out to customers on his email list to let them know where he’ll be.

Running a retail store requires long hours, and Delzio said he’s ready to set his own schedule. 

But it’s a bittersweet moment.

“I am going to miss my customers so much,” he said.

Delzio shared news of his retirement sale on the store’s social channels, including Facebook and Instagram, and the response from customers moved him to tears.


“I'm sitting down here in Florida. We took a week off, came down here and I’m on the beaches in tears, [knowing] that we touched people’s lives in such a way,” he said.

“My customers are my customers, and [they are also] my friends and family. We’ve had a long, long ride together.”

One woman wrote to him, frantic that he now wouldn’t be able to make her wedding ring.

“I said, ‘I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry.’ And she said, ‘Oh, you made my day,’” recalled Delzio.

When Delzio returns from Florida, he’ll take a trip to New York’s Diamond District on 47th Street, a weekly tradition he’ll miss, to inform longtime friends and colleagues that he’ll be closing his store and won’t be around as often.


When his customers think of The Mexican Shack, Delzio hopes they’ll remember how involved he and his family have been with the community.

In 2017, the Somers Chamber of Commerce honored Delzio for his years of contributions to the community, highlighting his commitment to education and the preservation of historical artifacts.

The store has been featured in The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles several times.

“The high quality Indian jewelry designs and materials, along with fine craftsmanship, attracts a devoted following. Their pieces reflect an inherent awareness of popular culture, while still paying tribute to their cultural [roots],” wrote the publication, as per the store’s website.

The store is closed for vacation as of May 16, with the retirement sale set to begin June 1.

“It’s just a very unique business. Very, very unique. And it’s different. I’m really proud of it,” said Delzio.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Asian Star’s diamond manufacturing facility in India
SourcingMar 27, 2024
Compliance, Caution, and Concern: The Current Outlook of Indian Diamantaires

There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.

Kira Diam solar plant
Lab-GrownMar 27, 2024
Indian Lab-Grown Diamond Manufacturers Keep Growing

A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.

Bharat Ratnam, a Mega Common Facilitation Centre (CFC)
SourcingMar 27, 2024
Reinvigorating SEEPZ, the Epicenter of India’s Studded Jewelry Exports

The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.

Jewelers of America Fly In Washington, D.C.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your Business

For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.

SRK Empire and SRK House
Policies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
SRK Exports’ Journey Toward Net Zero Impact

By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.

Weekly QuizMar 21, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Take the Quiz
Georgia May Jagger Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign
FinancialsMar 27, 2024
Movado’s Full-Year Sales Sink 11%

The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysMar 27, 2024
Consumer Confidence Held Steady in March

Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.

BTYB-HoBrothers-updated.png
Brought to you by
The Scalable, Professional, and Effortless Solution for High-Demand Custom Jewelry Retailers

Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.

Bernadette Mack
Policies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
Mercury Free Mining Hires Bernadette Mack

The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.

April Is Diamonds Do Good Month
Policies & IssuesMar 27, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its April Initiative

DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.

Tiffany & Co. With Love, Since 1837
MajorsMar 26, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Debuts ‘With Love, Since 1837’ Campaign

Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsMar 26, 2024
Creative Connecting: AI Tools and Tips for Social Media

Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.

Nordstrom Men’s Store New York City
MajorsMar 26, 2024
Nordstrom May Go Private, Says Report

The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.

 International Gemological Institute
GradingMar 26, 2024
IGI Announces Tech for ID’ing Lab-Grown Colored Diamonds

The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”

Kendra Scott lab-grown diamond jewelry
CollectionsMar 25, 2024
Kendra Scott Debuts Lab-Grown Diamond Fashion Jewelry

The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.

Instappraise logo NAJA logo
Events & AwardsMar 25, 2024
NAJA, Instappraise Offering Scholarships for Aspiring Jewelry Appraisers

One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.

Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice
MajorsMar 25, 2024
Borsheims Announces New VP of HR, Assistant Manager

Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.

My Next Question graphic vintage jewelry webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 22, 2024
Watch: How to Buy and Sell Vintage Jewelry

Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.

Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere
MajorsMar 22, 2024
David Yurman Announces New CFO, Chief People Officer

Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.

Nakard pyrite earrings
CollectionsMar 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Nakard’s Pyrite Earrings

The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeMar 21, 2024
Sparks Fly as Burglars Lose Safe on California Freeway

JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.

Grizzly Mining rough emeralds
SourcingMar 21, 2024
Grizzly Sells 4,145-Carat Emerald for Over $1M

The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.

Helen McCluskey
MajorsMar 21, 2024
Signet Jewelers Names New Board Chair

Helen McCluskey will succeed H. Todd Stitzer when he meets his 12-year term limit in June.

Julia Roberts wearing a Chopard necklace
CollectionsMar 20, 2024
Julia Roberts Co-Designs New Chopard Jewelry Collection

“Chopard x Julia Roberts” showcases the first gems cut from the 6,000-carat-plus “Insofu Emerald."

Tanzanite white gold ring Jared
FinancialsMar 20, 2024
Signet’s Q4 Same-Store Sales Sink 10%

The jewelry giant also posted a double-digit drop in same-store sales for the full year.

Gold and diamond Baume & Mercier watch Elvis gave to Dodie Marshall
AuctionsMar 20, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier Gifted by Elvis Going Up for Auction

Elvis gave the watch to actress Dodie Marshall after filming “Easy Come, Easy Go.”

Sketch of Suhan Wang necklace design
Events & AwardsMar 20, 2024
See the Winner of GIA’s Design Competition

The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design was presented to a graduate of the GIA school in Taipei.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy