BUSINESS
Dick's Rock Shop 'rocks on'

Dick’s Rock Shop relocates after 29 years on Hwy. 85/87 to the heart of Fountain. Pictured: Brand’e Ann Danley, ‘K’ Smith, Nancy McCormick, Diana Wing and Landa Conway. PHOTO BY LINDA HOBBS

by Linda Hobbs
Dick’s Rock Shop, with the image of a miner happily digging away with his rock-pick on the facade of his former location, was a familiar sight on Hwy. 85/87 north of Hwy. 16, maintaining the individual character of Fountain Valley, bucking the trend toward the generic sameness of American byways that has made it increasingly hard to identify one city from another.

The shop has been a local fixture since first opening its door in August, 1978.  However, progress has finally caught up with the line of businesses near Hwy. 16.  Plans to expand the roadway by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to make modifications to accommodate increased traffic flow into Ft. Carson, have mandated those businesses, including Dick’s Rock Shop, to move.

Store owner, Diana Wing, after months of searching, recently found a new site at 108 W. Ohio Ave., in the heart of the City of Fountain, across from Fountain City Hall.  Wing was also able to find the original designer of the adopted logo, local artist Diane DiLeonardo, who will paint the miner on his new home before opening again for business.

It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to the old shop, where Wing took over the family business after the deaths of its founders, Richard “Dick” Stearns (Aug 2000) and his wife, Diana’s sister, Flossie Wing Stearns (May 2002).

“It’s been a lot of stress,” Wing said.  “At the time [of notification to move] I said there’s no way I can do this.  It was overwhelming, but I have some very good friends [Landa Conway, ‘K’ Smith, Nancy McCormick and Brand’e Ann Danley] and a couple of their husbands who all pitched in.  We went display-case by display-case and wrapped everything we could.”

CDOT has been assisting financially with the relocation, including new signage, advertising, packing and transportation of its inventory.

The new location seems to be a good fit. 

“I like the layout,” Wing commented of the new store.  “I think it will be a lot better.  We’re starting over. We’re starting fresh.”

The store will continue to sell lapidary, rock tumbling and polishing equipment, supplies and rocks from around the world, and offer the services of a certified gold/silversmith for making and repairing jewelry.  It will also feature natural stone beads, cabochons and gemstones, bookends, sculptures and many other rock-related items.

Wing hopes the community will turn out, show their support, meet the people who have made the move possible, and to see the shop’s extensive inventory. 

“I really would like invite everyone to come in our new store when it opens and say hello,” said Wing.

For more information on the re-opening, call 390-7788.  For a brief history of the store and to view some of its unique gift items, visit its website, www.dicksrockshop.com.

CONTACT THE WRITER • linda.hobbs@ftnvalleynews.com