Historias: Stories of El Paso - Virtual Exhibition

Historias: Stories of El Paso A virtual exhibition curated by our community Courtesy of: James Shaheen Title: Shaheen’s Company History Historias Type: Photograph Imported Rug Company was established by Jamil Shaheen in 1930 in Midland, Texas. After a while, he decided to move his store to El Paso, Texas and he called his brother, Saad Shaheen (pictured above displaying a rug), from Syria to help him with this new store in El Paso. The business was incorporated to Shaheen’s Imported Rug Company Inc. in 1979. Today, the company is known as Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs. Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs is a dealer of oriental handmade rugs and machine-made rugs and carpeting. Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs was among the first progressive El Paso business firms, serving El Paso and surrounding areas in the USA and Mexico. In the 1950’s, Saad Shaheen moved the store to Montana Avenue. Now, by 1971 Saad’s son, James Shaheen, started to help his dad with the business while also preparing to some day take over this family business. In 1975, the first commercial for Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs was aired. This commercial would feature the company’s timeless jingle and logo on it. The logo, which remains as the company logo to this day, depicts a young James Shaheen flying on magic carpet. Once the commercial would near the end, it would be followed by a jingle that was made famous by Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs which is, “A home without a rug, is like a kiss without a hug.” Throughout its early years the store changed locations many times until finally, in 1978, Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs settled at its most recognized and famous store in El Paso which is located on 415 Montana Avenue. Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs stayed at this store for about 30 years and was at its prime during these years. Throughout these years is when the company grossed around 2 million in sales for their rugs and carpets. Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs had a lasting impact on El Paso and its community through its many sales and memories made. Even today, you could walk into many peoples houses in El Paso and there is a good chance they will have a rug from Shaheen’s Carpets and Oriental Rugs.

Area: Central / Downtown

Source: James Shaheen

Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History