Format

The namesake Sanborns chain began in the early 20th century as a transplant of the American coffee shop (diner) to Mexico City. As of 2021, there were 197 Sanborns across Mexico, from Tijuana in the northwest to Cancún in the east.^[7]

Almost all Sanborns branches have sit-down restaurants and usually a cocktail bar as well. Iconic menu items include the enchiladas suizas ("Swiss enchiladas") with chicken, cheese and green sauce.^[8]

Larger locations also function as a junior department store, including departments such as:^[9]

• electronics including TVs, cameras, small appliances, cellphones and accessories, tablets, laptops and accessories
• entertainment: music, video, videogames, guitars, keyboards and musical instruments
• pharmacy service counter and personal care
• cosmetics and fragrances
• magazines and books
• toys and boardgames
• bakery service counter, candy, fine wines, liquor, tobacco products
• men's, women's and children's clothing and accessories including sunglasses
• gifts, home decoration, stationery, luggage and other travel goods
• financial services such as payment of utility and other bills, pre-payment of cellular service, and cash deposits to bank accounts

Locations

As of 2021, 196 Sanborns were located across Mexico plus one in El Salvador, with a total floor area of 283,475 square metres (3,051,300 sq ft), and average of 1,439 square metres (15,490 sq ft) per store.^[10] The El Salvador location has since closed, as did Panama prior to that.^[11]

Sanborns stores are found in nearly all parts of Mexico, from Tijuana in the northwest to Cancún in the east. However, of Mexico's 31 states, there are only 6 without a Sanborns: Baja California Sur, Oaxaca, Colima, Nayarit, Tlaxcala and Durango.^[7]

As of October 2023, Sanborns lists 146 locations, of which the majority are in the Mexico City metropolitan area with 60 in the city itself and 21 in the adjacent State of Mexico. 65 others are located across 25 other states.^[7]

History

Modern multistory Sanborns department store in Mexico City with the facade of a 19th-century home being used as an entrance area

The retail company was founded in Mexico City on June 19, 1903, by California brothers Walter and Frank Sanborn, U.S. immigrants seeking a better life in Mexico. They also opened the country's first soda fountain. The original location and its lunch counter is still in operation. At first there were three branches, two on what is now Madero Street and one on 16 de Septiembre street.^[12]

During the Mexican Revolution, troops of Emiliano Zapata used a Sanborns branch located where the Libreria Madero is today, as a rendezvous point and gathering place. Extant photos show Zapatista soldiers enjoying their first restaurant meal at Sanborns' lunch counter. Thus the Sanborns slogan Meet me at Sanborns.

In 1919, Walter Sanborn, tired of the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, returned to the US and left the management of the company to his brother Frank.

The trademark of the franchise, the three owls, represent Mr. Frank Sanborn and his sons, Francis and Jonathan. For some time, the official name of the company was "Sanborns Hermanos" (Sanborn Brothers), when Mr. Frank died.

The Casa de los Azulejos atrium and restaurant inside Sanborns

Also in 1919, Sanborns acquired its most famous branch location, the 16th century House of Tiles, Casa de los Azulejos, a colonial mansion that is a major tourist attraction and national monument, its inside decorated with a mural by José Clemente Orozco.^[13]

In 1946, Frank Sanborn sold his interest in Sanborns to fellow pharmacist Charles Walgreen Jr. of Chicago.

Like Walgreens, Sanborns does not use an apostrophe in its name. In Sanborns' case, it is due to the Spanish language not using apostrophes to indicate possession.

Walgreens sold its interest in 1985.

The Sanborns chain operates a full e-commerce website selling a wide range of merchandise from the categories found in its physical stores (gifts, cosmetics, electronics, etc.)^[14]

Due to a drop in sales caused by an economic downturn, Sanborns' three Central American stores closed in 2020. It’s only Panamanian branch closed in January of that year, having opened in 2007 at Multiplaza Panama at a cost of US$6 million.^[15][16] Its two stores in El Salvador at Metrocentro and Multiplaza, both in San Salvador, closed later that year.^[11]