Coast river business journal., January 15, 2020, Page 11, Image 11

COAST RIVER BUSINESS JOURNAL
BUSINESS NEWS
JANUARy 2020 • 11
Shamouse’s Rocks: ‘It just gets better and better’
By LUKE WHITTAKER
Coast River Business Journal
SEASIDE — They come searching
for stones that offer truth, tranquility,
health and healing.
On a rainy January Monday in Sea-
side, a shop doorbell jingled con-
tinuously amid a constant stream of
customers.
It was a typical winter day for Terry
Hiatt, now entering his 6th season as
owner of Shamouse’s Rocks on Holla-
day Drive.
“Each year it just keeps growing and
growing with more and more return
customers,” Hiatt, 65, said during a
brief break between sales. “It just gets
better and better.”
Customers seek healing
stones, crystals
Since opening the store in November
2013, Hiatt’s inventory has more than
doubled. Rough rock, fossils and slabs,
organized by type and size, line the floor
as several shelves of polished speci-
mens greet customers of every height.
Metaphysical stones, such as quartz and
crystals, are among hottest sellers for
adults, while kids are often are attracted
to the amethysts and fossils.
Hiatt attributed his growing success
to an increasing interest in metaphysical
section, which he estimated accounting
for ‘at least 70%’ of his sales.
“People are seeking their healing
and energy properties,” Hiatt said, add-
ing that regular customers come from as
Portland in search of specific stones and
crystals from Rose quartz, to ‘all dif-
ferent types of fluorites and crystals.’
Hiatt conceded he didn’t know how the
healing properties work, but has felt the
energy they exude, which he describes
as a ‘buzz’.
“I can feel the energy from it. Every-
thing in here has a buzz to it. But if I
were to walk out the door it’s dead
silence and I wouldn’t have that feel-
ing,” Hiatt said.
Over the past six years, Hiatt has
continuously expanded his inventory,
particularly in the metaphysical sec-
tion, which not occupies the center of
the store.
“I cater to it,” Hiatt said motioning
to a table of dozens of kinds of different
stones, crystals, and high-end fossils.
“This table contains my number-one
selling items in here.”
LUKE WHITTAKER
Shamouse’s Rocks owner Terry Hiatt has ca-
tered to a growing demand of metaphysical
stones and crystals, which he says now ac-
counts for 70% of his business. “People are
seeking their healing and energy properties,”
he said.
LUKE WHITTAKER
Hiatt has expanded his inventory of high-
end fossils to include ammonite, trilobite,
shark teeth and fish fossils, pictured.
Shamouse’s Rocks
Terry “Shamous” Hiatt, owner
9 N. Holladay Dr., Seaside
503-539-1290