Pikes Peak Rock Shop – Still here and better than ever!
The Pikes Peak Rock Shop in Cascade closed its doors in early fall. Hand-printed magic marker signs stated they were closed for maintenance. People wondered though. “Will they re-open? Are they closed for good?” Messages were left on their machine asking the same. People drove up the pass only to find they were … still closed!
However, the Pikes Peak Rock Shop reopened its doors on Black Friday 2024 with pleasing renovations, beautiful new displays, and glistening assortments of stones, minerals and gems. There’s an air of care, cleanliness and newness about the place, even though the building has stood almost 100 years in this location. Bryan Engle is taking over ownership from his father Glen Engle, who is stepping back after over 40 years of dedicated buying, selling and upkeep. It’s still a family affair, with customer service and relationships that have brought return customers as well as new rock, mineral, stones and gem enthusiasts to their doors.
Upon entering the shop, I was struck by how many were viewing, handling and exclaiming over collections of tumbled stones, large and small geodes, fossils, crystals of all sorts, gifts, trinkets and unusual items made of stone. There was a ‘good vibe’ as both Engles welcomed customers and answered questions along with their two staff members Wendy Weber and Amelia Burtis, who say they love working there.
According to Glen Engle, the shop was founded in 1935 by Elmer Brown, who eventually sold to Del Hill. Hill was a frequent buyer of Native jewelry from Engle and sold the shop to him in 1980. Glen quickly added more selection and diversity, expanding the shop with items purchased from all over the world. Because he bought wholesale, he was able to offer incredibly discounted prices. That legacy continues!
With their grand re-opening, Bryan Engle wanted to make some “small changes here and there, to make things as good or better.” Bryan has introduced a taxidermy exhibit among his small changes. He explains, “We started carrying some items from Indonesia and Southeast Asia. We’ve got big-eared brown bats, snake skeletons, Halloween bats or Painted bats, and a series of insects only found in Southeast Asia.” He also added tarot cards with a nod to the metaphysical, and a store mascot, a cute dog called Eevee, named after a British spy from World War I.
In his new role as owner, Bryan Engle divulges, “I’ve grown up around this my entire life. My first memories were being surrounded by crystals.” He continues, “It’s hard work. And it’s the people that you meet along the way that have their own stories, their own lives, that you’re able to build connections with, connections between worlds. My father set the groundwork for that. I’m lucky enough to be a part of that journey.”
Bryan continues, “We go to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. We see a lot of our great vendors … We have friends from Morocco and India, from China and Japan, and from everywhere around the world.” His father Glen proudly states, “I talked him [Bryan] into going down to Brazil and going to shows and taught him how to do it. And now he does it way better than I.”
Beautiful displays abound in the shop featuring items from Madagascar, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil, India, Peru and China, to name a few places of origin. There’s something for everyone, every age, with unique gifts, books, incense sticks, jewelry and even Pac-Man-looking statuettes among the incredible variety of gemstones and mineral collections.
Glen Engle concludes, “I want people to know how much we appreciate you, our return people. They ask about us, they are concerned. It’s always really nice to have someone you know walk through the door.”
Go on up the pass, walk through that door, and take a look around. You’re sure to leave in awe of so much beauty among the gems, stones and mineral collections you’ll find there.
Pikes Peak Rock Shop is located at 4495 Fountain Ave, Cascade, CO 80809 (across from Brush Hollow Winery) and is open every day from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Contact them at 719-685-9197.
