Tammy & Louie Girardot, Proprietors
High Country Gems & Minerals has been in operation since 1971 and is proud to be the second-oldest continuously operating business in Glenwood Springs. Originally founded by Lee & Peggy Mestas, the shop has seen a total of four owners in its 55-year history. Matt McQueen, currently owner of Sioux Villa Curio, was the second owner. After 8 years of ownership, he bestowed the shop upon his star employee, Patty Neuroth, fondly known as Patty Rockstar in local circles. Patty is widely recognized for re-making the aesthetic of the shop and expanding the square footage to nearly double its original size. Never afraid to try new things, Patty introduced numerous new products to the shop and is credited with injecting a fun and playful energy into the shop. On a hot summer afternoon, she could even be found on the streets of downtown Glenwood handing out free rock coupons dressed in an inflatable dinosaur suit!
In the spring of 2023, Tammy Girardot, manager of the shop at the time, and her husband, Louie, were offered the opportunity to be the next stewards of this amazing local institution – an opportunity at which they did not balk. In the years since, The Rock Shop has gone through one of its biggest transitions: its first physical move in its long life. The renovation of the historic building that has housed the shop since its inception required relocation to the retail space immediately to the west. This move provided the opportunity to take the shop through the second big aesthetic transformation in it’s life. Tammy drew up the plans, planning carefully the best new homes for the shop’s behemoth inventory. Every shelf, fixture, and light was arranged and rearranged until the new home of High Country Gems came to life. June 16, 2025, marked day 1 for the new shop. It has been acclaimed as a beautiful sunny continuation of the shops 55 year march through Glenwood Springs’ history. Tammy and Louie love the shop and the community that frequents it – as well as those who walk through its doors for the very first time. They look forward to greeting you – whether it be your first or 100th visit!