Madereria Marco: Local Furniture Craftsman
Tara A. Spears
Now you don’t have to go farther than north La Penita for your plywood and other wood supplies! Madereria Marco stocks several varieties of hardwood, pine, composite boards and he will deliver to your home. Although born in Las Varas, Marco Garcia Franco speaks fluent English. In addition to many options for purchasing wood, Marco carries protective sealers and other wood related supplies. He will happily cut wood to your measurements!
“I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands,” Marco explains. “I went to the United States as a teen because I wanted to learn a trade. I was fortunate to get into a cabinetry apprenticeship with a good company.” After completing the training, Marco was employed in the furniture making business for 15 years.
His wife of 20 years, Bruna Garcia, accompanied Marco to the states. Two of their three children were born in the USA. Bruna was born and attended school in La Penita. In fact, the reason the family relocated to Mexico was due to her father’s declining health. When her father passed, Bruna inherited the house on highway 200 in La Colonia. Marco decided this was an opportunity to start his own business on the site. “The area had grown so much from when we lived here,” said Marco. “And with the strong growth it seemed a perfect place for a wood supply business. We could be close to our families and raise our children safely.” Putting his kids first has always been important to Marco.
In addition to selling various types of wood, Marco also makes some custom furniture. “Seeing and touching the wood inspires me!” Some of his specialties are tables, shelving, fine cabinetry. It is important to know that hand crafted products take time and Marco will not rush the process. That being said, he asks that customers allow 15-20 business days for a typical order. The selection of wood used influences the price.
Even with thousands of types of wood available, you will find that only a handful are more commonly used in making furniture. La Parota is the name that is generally used to name Enterolobium cyclocarpum (or Mimosa Parota Sessé & Moc), although it is also known by other names depending on which Mexican state you’re in.
The wood of the Parota is especially interesting for quality furniture, decoration elements and ornaments. This wood has been used for centuries by artisanal for the production of kitchen tools and furniture. In rural areas it used to be used for houses but now the demand for furniture has made expensive. The carpenters and cabinet makers who dedicate themselves to creating with Parota usually do it by family tradition having learned the trade from an older generation. Today, due to its water resistance and impermeability conditions it is used for high-end custom furniture suitable for humid locations. Other native woods common in Nayarit, Mexico are oak, (Quercus aristata,) cedar (cedro ), fig (Ficus insipida) and amapa (dark to light tone depending on species) besides pine (pino).
If you are looking for lumber or thinking about a shelf unit for that odd sized space, you don’t need to go to Puerto Vallarta. Come to Madereria Marco instead. The owner is an experienced craftsman that has only satisfied customers.
Located on west (left) side of Hwy 200 if driving north Cell 322 155 5553
Shop open Monday- Friday: 9:00 am til 1:00 and 4:00-6:30 pm. Saturday hours: 9 am -1 pm