As Seen in “Scene In S.A.”

As Seen in July 2009 Scene in S.A.

Atlantis Discovered was profiled in the Mavericks section of the July 2009 Edition of Scene In S.A. Magazine, The San Antonio Magazine since 1999.

With permission of Scene In S.A., we’ve reprinted the article below. Visit www.mysaweekly.com for more San Antonio news.

Unlikely Entrepreneurs Uncover Treasures

By Rosa Robinson

Michael Tijerina and Humberto Lizarraga

WHO WOULD HAVE EVER GUESSED Lady Luck would turn up in the form of an 84-year old antiques dealer? But that’s the way Humberto Lizarraga and Michael Tijerina found her in the summer of 1997 in Pasadena, California.

The two men, who’d met at a dinner party two years earlier, didn’t know anything about antiques or the retail business, but when the octogenarian owner of a collectibles business decided she’d had enough, they jumped at the opportunity. A mere $4,000 later, they were the owners of a warehouse full of antiques, large and small, treasures and trash.

They bought a display case for $50 and quickly discovered the lucrative business of reselling for profit. Their first item, an antique writing pen sold for $250.

Moved by their new endeavor, Lizarraga, 47, an engineer by trade, and Tijerina, 46, formerly in the hotel industry having catered such events as the Rose Bowl Parade, left their jobs and set out to fulfill their creative spirits.

Lizarraga took up the meticulous art of designing stained glass. He’s created pieces for celebrities such as Bette Midler, Dolly Parton and Mexican performer, Luis Miguel. Even though he usually works in his home studio, Lizarraga still regularly travels to Pasadena to meet with his partner to complete works in progress.

And Tijerina is no less the entrepreneur. He has a keen eye for jewelry, and a flair for choosing oddities, art design and unique things he likes. After the two sold their antiques business in California, he began to travel in search of exclusive things to sell at Atlantis Discovered, a unique jewelry and gift store they opened here six years ago.

Creative tools in hand and sharp minds in tow, they moved to S.A. to pay homage to Tijerina’s father, who asked before passing away that his children reunite here. Atlantis Discovered is Lizarraga and Tijerina’s way of bringing their style and memories with them, while creating new ones.

“We want to offer our customers something unique, something they can’t find in Texas,” says Tijerina, who does all the buying for the store. “Here, they can escape into another world. They get lost for hours,” he says of the four-room deep store where customers savor their time.

Many of the store’s customers are dance troupes and the Fiesta Court, who seek that special piece of unusual jewelry to decorate their gowns and costumes for the Fiesta Flambeau and other area events. The owners also order elaborately decorated belly dancing outfits, bridal jewel sets, and art work from the Middle East and Asia.

The most frequent question asked is, “Who decorated your store?” The answer: They both did. Their relationship over the last 14 years has evolved to where they know what each one is good at doing, and they act on a whim, often producing one-of-a-kind things from the existing inventory. Or they may copy and original from the pieces they kept years ago.

They laugh as they discuss their roles in the business: Lizarraga handles the administrative aspect, while Tijerina spends the money.

“He has better taste in buying things for the store,” says Lizarraga. “His things sell better and sell quicker.”

Atlantis Discovered Gets a New Site

Atlantis Discovered New Site

Atlantis Discovered has a new website blog and a new look. We wanted to be able to let you know quicker when we have new products. Starting a new blog was the best way. It will take awhile for our store to match the look of our new blog.

We hope you like it.

You can make comments about the products right on the bottom of most pages. Share your enthusiasm!

Masquerade and Party Masks

Atlantis Discovered just received a new shipment of Masquerade and Party Masks.

Come in to the store and check out Atlantis Discovered’s new selection of Party and Masquerade Masks. These are all the rage for every occasion. Mardi Gras, Masquerade Parties and Masquerade Balls, Proms, Sweet 16, Quinceaneras, Weddings, Ball Dances & much more. IT’S CRAZY! There are just a few here, but check out the PARTY MASK GALLERY below.

Bridal Jewelry

Necklace and Earring Set

San Antonio’s best place to get your Bridal Jewelry is Atlantis Discovered.

We carry Tiaras, Necklaces, Earrings, Bracelets and Gloves.

Atlantis Discovered knows that your day is special, and should be unique. That’s why we carry so many different styles.

Our styles change constantly. So often in fact that we can’t even offer it online, because it will be sold out in the store before we can get all the photos and pricing together.

Please come into the store in San Antonio to see our latest inventory. But be sure to visit our Bridal Gallery, to get an idea of the types of jewelry and accessories we carry.