Nestled behind the busy intersection of Bloor and Bathurst you’ll find the soothing ambience of The Rock Store, owned by Samantha Chin. Samantha took over ownership of the shop in 2009 and has transformed what was once a simple stone store into a dynamic healing centre, complete with workshops, therapy sessions, a crystal showcase and bookstore.
Samantha was drawn in by the power of minerals well before coming to own the store. “There were huge transitions and chaos happening in my life,” she explains. It was while in Thailand that she met an individual whose experience with stones made a powerful impression, which would inspire her to take the lead at The Rock Store. When Samantha first took over the shop, admittedly she received a few raised eyebrows and side-angle looks. But now, crystals are very popular, even fashionable, a shift which has opened up this mysterious world to many new customers.
The Rock Store is a cozy and peaceful hub snug in Ed Mirvish village, which specializes in specialty stones and literature. Rocks and gems cover the shelves, walls and ceiling, and tarot and healing sessions are offered in private rooms upstairs. Their Astrology Fundamentals workshops are popular, and teach participants about their rising, sun and moon signs, as well as other planetary placements.
Whether you’re in need of a chakra alignment or want to learn more about yoga’s roots, this soothing space in the heart of the Annex offers a ton of products to complement your practice outside the studio. Here you’ll find Himalayan crystal salt lamps, healing crystals and incense that will take your relaxation to the next level. Delve deeper into the spiritual side of the ancient practice and browse the must-read collection of books for every yogi.
This colourful Markham Village gem (pun very much intended) is both a healing centre and rock shop in one. Aside from an impressively diverse inventory of crystals and minerals, the all-female staff also offers various types of spiritual readings held in a spacious private workshop room upstairs. In addition to classic tarot readings, The Rock Store’s experts also offer divination in the form of crystal cards, angel oracle cards and runes (based off an ancient Nordic alphabet).