If you’re looking for one of a kind holiday gifts, beat the rush, avoid the crowds and get to Chula Bee at 6547 Star Court and make your selections from an eclectic inventory of original art, glassware, antiques, furniture, and home furnishings.
The store celebrates its first year anniversary with a 15 to 20% off sale on selected inventory on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25.
Chances are you can scratch more than a few gifts off your holiday list at Chula Bee and sip a bit of holiday cheer while you shop Friday and Saturday.
The showcase of old and new objects that include book cases, statuary, chandeliers, lamps, credenzas, and fine crystal and china was assembled by Dr. Maya Guerra- Zuniga and her cousin Melissa Levander, a Hollywood set director and home decorator.
Over their childhood, Guerra-Zuniga and Levander spent many of their summer days in the Matamoros Street home of their grandmother Josie Guerra, a turn of the century home in Laredo’s depot district, now designated as the St. Peter’s Historic District.
“This gave us a great appreciation for the value and function of good furniture, antiques, and old objects of beauty,” she said, adding, “Melissa and I have remained close over decades.”
According to Guerra Zuniga, “Our favorite part of the business for both of us is shopping, selecting, and hunting down all the vintage treasures. Along the way we meet some really interesting, well-traveled, and artsy folks who have a love for beautiful things. We also get to go into some incredible homes for private estate sales.”
She said there are stories in many of the old pieces from Beverly Hills about the homes, home owners, and estates they came from.
“Everything we offer has a high quality retro look, a look some Laredoans really want in their homes and offices.”
She said that Chula Bee’s home design component is an important part of the store’s business. “This is principally a clientele of young professionals who know what they want. We help the ones that aren’t sure,” she said, adding that Chula Bee’s designs have brought homes of all sizes to life.
“Once we have signed a design contract with a client, we open an online portal to start assembling furniture, lighting, and art that we feel can make each room come together and then the whole house,” Guerra-Zuniga said.
“As to the store and especially the design aspect of it, the really best part is meeting many young couples who appreciate the beautiful, eclectic aesthetic of mixing upscale vintage with contemporary modern. There is nothing like being told after we complete an installation that our clients love their home and that they are finally excited about it,” she said.
Chula Bee’s two-day sale ends Saturday, November 25 at 6 p.m.
The store is located at 11-6 6547 Star Court. For further information, call (956) 625-6300.
Melissa Levander and her sister Laurie and I are first cousins and my aunt Josie Guerra Levander ( my dad’s sister…) their mom made it a point for us to see each other every summer either in Laredo or California. As we grew up and had our own families, we literally are now more like sisters.
