Texas

Agent’s Office Pays Tribute To The Queen Of Tejano Music

For the past 16 years, tourists from all over the world have been traveling to Corpus Christi, Texas, to pay tribute to the Queen of Tejano Music, singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez.

Devoted fans will go to great lengths to retrace this music legends life by visiting the places that she often frequented. One of the more popular stops is the site of Selena’s former boutique, which now serves as State Farm Agent Joely Del Vecchio’s office.

Prior to Selena’s death on March 31, 1995, the singer had launched her own clothing line and opened two boutiques, the first being in Corpus Christi. The boutique had a unique Selena flavor with purple walls everywhere her favorite color.

Del Vecchio, who recently relocated from the state of Florida, says she quickly learned upon moving to Corpus Christi, that Selena IS the culture.

For more than a decade, Selena’s boutique had stayed empty and the family was hesitant to rent the boutique to anyone. This changed when Del Vecchio leased the space from Selena’s widower roughly two years ago. She even kept the boutique’s display window, which has been used to pay tribute to Selena and to feature other community events. The window allows her agency the opportunity to connect with the community visually.

“To be a part of this community, you have to know its history and embrace it,” said Del Vecchio.

The agent says she has had lots of people come from all over the United States and Latin America to see the boutique, and she graciously lets them come in and look at the memorabilia she has collected. She is considered the “unofficial” insurer of all Selena fans.

However, one of the most memorable visits was when a young lady from Berkeley came by during her spring break last year.

“I showed her Selena’s purple curtains and many of the original fixtures that we have kept in place for posterity. She was so touched by the experience that she broke out into song and serenaded us with “No Me Queda Mas” (I have nothing left) by Selena. As you can well imagine, there wasn’t a dry eye left in my office.”

Click to view photos from agent Joely Del Vecchio's office.