Amanda Jorgensen, the owner of Tiny Shiny Rock Shop takes great pleasure in selecting each individual piece for her store. Tinkess Photo

CHESTERVILLE – It is recommended when choosing a name for a business that it should accurately describe what the business has to offer. Tiny Shiny Rock Shop certainly does this, but the name doesn’t come close to describing everything the business located in the Maple Ridge Centre on County Road 43 has to offer. Like a geode, what is inside will amaze you.

Amanda Jorgensen is the owner of Tiny Shiny Rock Shop, and she spoke with us during the Christmas in the Country Studio Tour, about some of the things you can find as you walk through her door, whether you are looking for a ready-made gift or the materials to be creative with on your own.

Jorgensen’s business journey began when she discovered that a woman in Morewood was selling her home-based business. “It was a beautiful little shop in Morewood, just out of a home, and the lady who was running it had to move, so she put her shop up for sale,” said Jorgensen. “I was lucky enough that she sold me the beautiful furniture here, which all came with the pre-lights and everything and then my husband and I got a little money from the bank and started investing in crystals.”

The seller also put Jorgensen in touch with her wholesalers and she began slowly building inventory. She learned about the availability of space in the Maple Ridge Centre (the former Maple Ridge Public School, directly across the road from North Dundas District High School) and on Aug. 1, she officially opened the doors.

A member of the North Dundas Chamber of Commerce, Jorgensen has been busy networking, building inventory and building a strong foundation for a business that will stand the test of time.

As mentioned off the top, Tiny Shiny Rock Shop has a very impressive selection of polished gemstones, but there is so much more. There are 3-D printed dragons, geodes, bamboo wind chimes, crystals, petrified wood, fossils, jewelry, smudge, incense, a range of metaphysical supplies, and much, much more.

“There’s over 100 types of crystals in here,” said Jorgenson. “We also have fossils collected by Bill Neville along the Ottawa River, dozens of incenses, a little craft section for make your own, plenty of jewelry.”

In terms of price range, Jorgensen says there is everything from about 50 cents to over $300 with the mass majority under $50 because she wanted to keep things affordable.

One of the best parts of the business for Jorgensen is that she gets to choose the merchandise she carries, and she likes to do it on an individual basis. No bulk or crate purchases for her. She selects each item personally. “Yes, the pieces are all hand-picked,” said Jorgensen. “Every single one of them. I don’t just order crates. I love to just choose them.”

Jorgensen obviously loves what she does and would like to develop her skill even further. “Yeah, it’s near and dear to me. I absolutely love crystals. I mean, I’ve always loved them, but been studying for the last two years, and even considering fully studying to maybe become a gemologist because I think that would be a really cool thing to do as well.”

The Tiny Shiny Rock Shop is located at 12820 County Road 43 in Chesterville in the Maple Ridge Centre. The shop is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

They respond to texts to 613 808 4799 or email at tinyshinyrockshop@gmail.com.

 

If you would like to have a light shined on your business, please contact us at: editor@etceterapublications.ca or call us at 613-448-2321.