Western National Parks Association (WNPA) - The National Parks Store — Attraction in Oro Valley

I visited this store for the first time today for their Mata Ortiz and Oaxacan wood carvings trunk show. The pottery and carvings were beautiful and I intend to return for their February 2018 Mata Ortiz pottery demonstration and show. The store itself sells a wide selection of native arts and crafts from the western U.S. and Mexico including woven goods, jewelry, ceramics, and various other interesting and attractive items. Prices are fair and accommodate any budget and the staff was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. This is a good place to find handmade and affordable gifts and more expensive items. They also have a decent selection of books on natural history, southwestern flora and fauna, geography, geology, and hiking. Well...

I came out of my way to come to this store to purchase a gift during a visit to Arizona for a family funeral. Unfortunately, they were very uncomfortable with my Native husband. Even though he was dressed nicely and was just browsing, one of the clerks followed him around and asked if he was going to buy anything he picked up, then made a comment about his card probably declining. When we did select the gift we wanted (a $300 item) she snatched it away and said we could have it back after the card cleared. Very unsettling and not at all what I expected from a national...

To be honest I am not 100% sure why this is where it is and why it is such a big building. It is a great gift shop not unlike the gift shops you see at every national park. I liked it because I like history and the park system but still confused why it is in an obscure place in Oro Valley. What else do they use this building for? I wouldn't say it is worth going out of your way for but if you don't have the chance to go to a national park but live in Oro Valley and want to pretend you did, then this is your place. Like I said...