Joe Wilcox is a family name and was used in honor of our father who was considered a typical “rock hound” and had a love of gems. From mining gold nuggets in Alaska to getting acquainted with the turquoise mines in Arizona, he knew the turquoise mine owners well.
He learned how to cut turquoise and sold the turquoise stones to the Native Americans to make jewelry. He ended up getting into the jewelry business, because many would rather trade jewelry than pay for the stones. What once started as a small endeavor to sell stones, and then jewelry, became a chain of stores for his family.
When the jewelry side of the business grew, his wife Wilma joined him in the business and they made a good team. He loved to socialize and visit with people, often telling jokes, and even did magic tricks. Wilma did a lot of the buying, as she had worked and managed retail stores for many years. She traveled to many trade shows and started to add new Southwest items to the product mix. Her keen business sense kept the business running smoothly.
Joe started cutting turquoise stones to sell and trade to Native Americans, then began selling retail from their home with a small showcase in the living room, and eventually opened the first official store in Phoenix, Arizona. After doing well and raising their family including Shirley, Don, Denise and Pam, they decided to move to Sedona, Arizona. Sedona was much smaller in 1979 and the 80’s were probably a peak time for Native American jewelry. Many foreign tour buses would flock to Sedona to enjoy the scenery and purchase Native American goods.
His family of four eventually, one by one, ended up joining them in Sedona and together they opened up other retail locations all within Sedona. The Native American jewelry and crafts had then grown to include home décor, fine arts, moccasins, souvenirs and western clothing. The Joe Wilcox name was widely recognized within Sedona and had a great selection of stores to shop in.
Joe Wilcox Indian Den is the last store currently to carry his name. Joe’s daughter Pam and her husband Dave Freeman are the owners and managing partners of this location. Pam and Dave are Arizona natives, born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. They have two wonderful sons, Paul and Ryan.
Joe Wilcox Indian Den was opened in 1990, and due to an illness and surgical complications, Joe passed away prior to this store’s grand opening. Wilma is still involved in the store and can be found smiling and working behind the counter.
Joe Wilcox Indian Den is one of the largest shops in Sedona and continues to sell authentic Native American jewelry from the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi and Native American crafts. The crafts we carry include pottery with a large selection of Navajo horsehair pottery, Zuni fetishes, Navajo Kachinas, Sand paintings, Alabaster carvings, Indian storytellers, and Indian artifacts.
Being one of the largest shops give us the room to offer a great variety of Southwest products including, home décor, kitchen, garden and even a wall full of Christmas ornaments year round.
Our southwest home décor includes raku pottery, southwest wall art, photo frames and beautiful throws to decorate or curl up in and much more!
You can create a unique southwest table setting with placemats, towels and potholders, and wine toppers! Sample the specialty foods from the southwest with jellies and candies made from the juices of the prickly pear.
We carry Minnetonka Moccasins for men, women, children and infants and can drop ship any item not found in the store directly to your home.
From an amazing selection of wind chimes, souvenirs, and year round Christmas ornaments, Joe Wilcox Indian Den is truly your one stop shopping paradise!
We welcome you to visit us in beautiful Sedona, Arizona but if you’re unable to visit us in person, we hope you can find something you like online! Thank you
