In the 30’s Rosarito was a small picturesque town where people lived from their daily catch, specially from lobster which was cooked in the very particular Puerto Nuevo style, located a couple of miles south of Rosarito. Also, visitors were offered curios brought in from the southern parts of Mexico as an additional treat. Small establishments started to surge with artisans manufacturing pots and canastas. With time, their descendants have established formal businesses. One of these is Alex Curios managed by Rafael Crosthwaite who also manufactures furniture. During the early 70’s Mr. Miguel Lopez established Casa La Carreta, where he and his family began to manufacture furniture with a Mexican touch.

With time, customers began requesting special custom made designs. In 1978 another pioneer in the furniture manufacturing industry with his own peculiar style was David Lugo, founding Interiores Los Rios. In 1980 Eduardo Orozco with La Hacienda started manufacturing fine custom wood and metal furniture, with and artistic style. It was until the 90’s when several family owned companies started to crop up such as: Casa Don Valerio , Marble Collection, Torres Iron Designs, Martinez Inc and El Convento, among many others. We should also mention Fausto Polanco with his display of furniture brought in from the South of Mexico. Rosarito has become an entity reaching a regional level in the manufacture of hand/custom made furniture in wood and wrought iron. There are more than 190 businesses dedicated to this industry and has now become the Mecca of the State of Baja California.

Juan Bosco López