Entry No. 4 — the Albuquerque file — filed under: witchy
Back Alley Brujas
Tucked away down an alley in Old Town Albuquerque, this independent shop founded by a local silversmith is stocked with witchy fashion, handcrafted silver talismans, and occult home decor. Inside, you will find palmistry candle holders, sun catchers, and custom ritual jewelry.
The story
If you stay on the main paved loop of Old Town, you get the usual circuit of tourist souvenirs and chili ristras. But if you duck off San Felipe Street into the narrow courtyard alley near the south parking lot, the commercial noise drops off. Local silversmith Brenda Baca opened Back Alley Brujas here as a grounded counterweight to the plaza's typical retail, filling the small space with hand-forged metals, occult items, and Southwestern ritual craft.
The center of gravity in the shop is the metal benchwork. Baca hand-crafts custom silver talismans, ring settings, and custom ritual jewelry on-site, fusing traditional regional silver techniques with esoteric symbols. The surrounding shelves hold palmistry candle holders, stained sun catchers, crystals, and small-batch body care products. You didn't hear it from us, but if you want silver forged for a specific intent, her bench takes custom commissions.
What it's like
Finding the entryway requires stepping off the sidewalk at 201 San Felipe St NW and following the shaded patio alley toward the back. Inside, the shop is compact, low-lit, and thick with the smell of herbal body care and scented candles. Expect shelves tightly packed with palmistry decor, crystal-charged waters, sun catchers, and silversmithing work. It is an easy, low-pressure drop-in while wandering Old Town, though parking in the district gets chaotic on weekends—park in the south-end lot right beside the alley or visit on a weekday afternoon to beat the plaza crowds.
The move: Walk the Old Town courtyards to find the hidden entryway, then hunt for custom silver talismans and palmistry candle holders.
- 📍 Old Town
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 201 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Meltdown Studio — After looking through Brenda Baca's handcrafted silver talismans, walk over to this local studio to try your own hand at metalsmithing.
- American International Rattlesnake Museum — Pair your search for silver talismans with a short walk to see the world's largest collection of live rattlesnake species.
- Church Street Cafe (Casa de Ruiz) — Follow up your alley detour with New Mexican food inside Albuquerque's oldest adobe home, famously haunted by former matriarch Sara Ruiz.
- KiMo Theatre — Head a mile east into Downtown Albuquerque to see rare Pueblo Deco architecture and hear about the 1927 venue's resident ghost.
Good to know
Where in Old Town is Back Alley Brujas located?
It is located tucked down an alleyway at 201 San Felipe St NW, near the south parking lot off the main Old Town plaza.
Who owns Back Alley Brujas?
The shop was founded and is run by local silversmith Brenda Baca, who crafts custom silver talismans and jewelry on site.
What kinds of products can I find inside?
The shop stocks handcrafted silver jewelry, palmistry candle holders, sun catchers, crystals, ritual supply, body care products, and apparel.
Do I need to check store hours before visiting?
Yes, hours in historic Old Town can vary seasonally, so confirm current operating times before heading out.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · albuquerqueoldtown.com · newmexico.org
last checked: 2026-07-21