By Evan Soenke, Pikes Peak Courier

In Cascade there is a hidden “gem” — Pikes Peak Rock Shop. The shop has been a regular stopping point on the way to and from Woodland Park, in addition to being a destination itself, for over 90 years.

Founded in 1935 by Elmer Brown, the shop has spent nearly a century serving travelers, collectors and locals passing through the Ute Pass corridor. Later owned by Del Hill, the shop eventually became part of the Engle family’s story when Glen Engle purchased it on Memorial Day weekend in 1980. Owned and operated today by Bryan Engle, the shop has become a go-to location not only for minerals, gems and crystals, but also for conversation and local connection.

Also growing over more than 40 years is the relationship between the shop and its vetted mineral and jewelry vendors. The gems, minerals and jewelry at the shop are sourced from as far away as Soledad, Brazil, and as nearby as the major gem and mineral shows in Denver and Tucson. Engle attributes the shop’s longevity and reputation to both experience and trust built over generations.

“When you’ve got almost a hundred years of supporting that business, you know, there’s a certain level of expectation that we sort of know what we’re doing,” Bryan Engle said.

Before settling in Cascade, Glen Engle operated Eagle Dancer in Manitou Springs, specializing in Native American merchandise. It was there that he met Del Hill, then-owner of Pikes Peak Rock Shop. Bryan says the turning point came when his father decided to leave behind life as a traveling salesman.

“He said, ‘I’m tired of being a door-to-door salesman… I’m gonna settle down here in Cascade.’” Bryan recalled.

Bryan practically grew up in the shop, learning about rocks and minerals as a youngster while surrounded by longtime customers and visitors from around the world. Twelve years ago, Bryan returned from the military to help his aging father run the businesses. He first took over Eagle Dancer as the business began winding down following the cultural shifts of 2020, then focused his attention on Southwest Silver Company in Manitou Springs and Pikes Peak Rock Shop in Cascade.

Over the years, Bryan has developed a deep knowledge of minerals, gems and crystals through constant curiosity and customer interaction.

“If someone asks me a question, I will try and tell them I don’t know—but I’m gonna look that up,” he said. “And eventually, some of those things start to stick.”

People remain central to Bryan’s enjoyment of the business.

“It’s so exciting to see people from places like Germany and Japan, and Croatia—all excited about going up to see Pikes Peak,” he said.

Many customers have become regulars over the decades, engaging in conversations that add to the character and atmosphere surrounding the rock shop.

“Sometimes I’ll meet people and they’ll say, ‘Oh my gosh, I remember you when you were eight years old,’” Engle said.

Pop culture trends and changing spiritual interests have also intersected with the store over the years, with younger visitors often drawn by interest in the metaphysical properties of crystals.

“Turquoise is huge culturally, for its close ties to Southwestern Native American jewelcrafting, but we have many stones that we sell that have been carved into the shapes of gothic or pagan symbols, as well as symbols associated with the Hindu or Chinese spiritual movement,” Engle said.

Beyond the shop itself, the business remains involved in the local community through donations to the local Manitou school baseball team, participation in silent auctions and other community events.

When asked “what makes the business meaningful?” Bryan responds with: “the people.”