By Jorge Rennella
Speaking of Tonalá is speaking of culture, customs, fables, magic, legends, art, creativity and craftsmanship. And it is speaking of workshops and growing companies that are successfully exporting handcrafted furniture for restaurants abroad, especially to the United States.
Tonalá, founded in 1530, is only 14 kilometers from Guadalajara. It is home to the National Museum of Ceramics and the Cerro de la Reina, a historical park full of legends. It is said – though not proven by science – that a 3,000-year-old pyramid is buried beneath a hill in this park.
Today this picturesque city is a center of craftsmanship, with national and international recognition. In addition to the quality restaurant furniture, there is a wide variety of production crafts such as pottery, ceramics, blown glass, metal embossing, and paper mache, among others, which are much prized internationally.
In recent decades, the success of the Tonaltecos in exporting their artisanal restaurant furniture to Latin America, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the United States is creating new jobs, raising the standard of living, and improving prospects for residents, families, and small and large companies.
The export of handicrafts represents an important part of the income of residents of Jalisco, the state in which Tonalá is located. Handicrafts represent 2.7 percent of exports from Mexico, and Jalisco occupies third place in craft production in the country. On the other hand, with an approximate annual growth of 22 percent, the furniture industry is ranked in fourth place among the largest exporting industries to the United States.
Here we highlight three Tonala restaurant furniture companies that are finding growing success:
Folcklor Latino
Folcklor Latino specializes in the fabrication of high-quality, artistic furniture for Mexican and Latin restaurants. The company strives to achieve an aesthetic impact through products such
as chairs, tables, waiting benches, bars, paintings, and others. The furniture is made 100 percent by hand by a team of talented artists whose passion is to create daring designs that provoke admiration.
Folcklor Latino’s exclusive furniture conveys memorable experiences to its customers’ guests. www.folcklorlatino.com Jal. Mex. Tel. 011+(52) 33 3792 6245 Tel. USA (210) 374 7445
Lacandona
Muebles Lacandona was founded in 1998, with the aim of translating culture, tradition, landscapes and even stories and legends of our peoples to generate emotions in customers. Our factory is almost 2,000 square meters. We have furnished nearly 500 restaurants in more than 40 U.S. states and 12 countries on 4 continents. Proudly, we deliver the best of Mexico to the world! We use the artisanal talent of Tonala to convert your space into an extension of
Mexico.
Our Triple Guarantee. 1. Craft Guarantee, endorsed by the Jalisco Institute of crafts. 2. Guarantee of sustainable forests. Our wood comes from controlled logging in Brazil, Chile and Mexico. 3. 1-year warranty against defects in assembly, finish, and structure.
From U.S.A. 011+(52) 33 3683 4929 www.muebleslacandona.com
Magia y Mueble
Magia y Mueble manufactures a line of handcrafted furniture for restaurants and hotels. We deliver to all states in the U.S.A. Products include booths, chairs, tables, banks, bars and
menu holders. All are crafted by hand by Mexican artisans.
From the U.S.A. 011+52 (33) 3690-1456 or +52 (33) 3691-3859 www.magiaymueble.com