Art Ackley bought his first stamp album when he was 8. Now 85, he’s still collecting, with no plans to stop.Art and his wife, Helena, 84, have operated Ackley’s Rocks & Stamps, 3230 N. Stone Ave., for 45 years.“We really love it,” Helena Ackley said. But the long hours have become a burden, so they’re selling the rock side of the business.The Key family — David, who is retired, Cathy, 55, and Molly, 23 — have purchased the rock operation for $150,000 and plan to buy the building in two years. They’re renaming the shop Ackley’s Rocks. The Ackleys will retain control of the stamp room, which will be called Ackley’s Stamps.“I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t hanging out here,” Art Ackley said.Stamp revenue has slowed, but the rock trade, which has always been the busiest, continues to perform with strong sales, he said. The shop brings in a little more than $300,000 a year.“People stick with their hobbies,” he added, even in a poor economy.Art Ackley has lived through his share of economic ups and downs. Forty-five years ago, as an aerospace engineer with Martin Marietta in Englewood, the threat of a layoff spurred the couple to purchase their own business.Rock collecting was their hobby, so they decided to make a living off it. They bought Bader’s rock shop on North Nevada Avenue, changed the name to Ackley’s and added stamps. They later moved to Stone Avenue.The Ackleys have been pleasantly surprised with the shop’s success.Their inventory attracts metalsmiths, rockhounds and jewelry hobbyists. The shop offers lapidary service, jewelry repair, gold-panning supplies and a large selection of gems and minerals.Molly Key discovered the shop two years ago when she needed supplies for a jewelry-making class at Pikes Peak Community College. She liked the shop’s ambience and started working as a clerk.

Her mother, Cathy, has been an Ackley’s employee for a year. With help from her father, David, Cathy and Molly will run the store.

Transition celebrationMeet the new owners of Ackley’s Rocks, David, Cathy and Molly Key, see the shop’s collection of Colorado fossils and minerals, and eat cake.

When: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Where: 3230 N. Stone Ave.More information: Call 633-1153.

Art and Helena Ackley are selling their rock store after 45 years, but are keeping the stamps side of their Colorado Springs business. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE