Giovanna Villalpando has relocated her family business, La Catrina, to a shipping container within the Connex retail park in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside. The shop, situated off East Rosedale Street, began a soft launch in early September as it finalizes its interior and establishes consistent operating hours.
The new space features deep black walls adorned with white Otomi folk art designs. Villalpando chose this high-contrast aesthetic to highlight the vibrant Mexican pottery, stationery, clothing accessories, and other items sold inside. The owner stated that she prefers to let the merchandise speak for itself rather than relying on decorative distractions.
This move follows the announcement by a Dallas-based private equity firm that it acquired Ridgmar Mall over the summer. The company intends to redevelop the site into a logistics hub, prompting Villalpando to leave the mall after nearly four years of operation there.
Villalpando, who is originally from Tacoaleche in Zacatecas, Mexico, said her primary goal remains preserving Mexican artisan work and celebrating culture. She hopes to encourage other Latino-owned businesses to establish themselves in the area and proudly display their traditions.
"I just really want to create something meaningful here in Fort Worth," Villalpando said. "My biggest thing is always bringing Mexican culture and screaming it as loud as I can."
La Catrina began at Ridgmar Mall after Villalpando left a corporate human resources job to help expand her father’s distribution business. The family identified a lack of Mexican stores in the area as an opportunity. Her parents assist with sourcing products from Mexico and customizing items, while her husband manages the website and logistics.
