Since opening in 2000, Nature’s Treasures of Texas has been a gathering place for those fascinated by the natural world. What began as a hobby for founder and owner Karen Richards quickly evolved into an entrepreneurial passion, and today the retail store brings together a unique blend of science and spirituality under one roof.
Nature’s Treasures is a 14,000 square foot venue with an event center, rock yard and retail showroom. The store boasts a wide selection of crystals, minerals, fossils, agates, gemstones, jewelry, Tibetan singing bowls, crystal singing bowls, salt lamps, books, CDs, cards, candles, incense, home and garden décor and unique gifts.
Prior to opening Nature’s Treasures, Richards showed his entrepreneurial side by running a furniture store. At the furniture store, Richards began using crystals to accent and decorate rooms. Customers soon became interested in purchasing crystals, and Richards continued to collect crystals. Soon, Richards had a new business: Nature’s Treasures.
In 2010, she consolidated three small Nature’s Treasures stores into one larger showroom at 4103 N I-35. Business continues to grow, and the company will soon be moving into a larger 23,500-square-foot store with a 5,000-square-foot event center, larger parking and green space.
What makes Nature’s Treasures unique?
Store manager Michael Kallstrom said his passion for crystal stems from a childhood experience.
“My father would bring back gemstones and crystals from his travels, each with its own legend,” Kallstrom says.
This sparked a lifelong interest, leading him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences and a Masters in Geological Sciences. “At Nature’s Treasures, we bridge the gap between the scientific and spiritual aspects of crystals.”
Kallstrom said that despite earning a degree in natural sciences, his curiosity about the more socio-cultural and mystical aspects of crystals never faded.
There are many metaphysical and lapidary stores across the country, but Nature’s Treasures stands out because it strikes the perfect balance between the scientific and spiritual aspects of crystals.
“We really offer something for everyone,” Kallstrom said. “It doesn’t matter what your background is. It doesn’t matter what your belief system is. We’re a haven for people who love the natural world.”
A great example of the balance between science and spirituality can be found in the store’s most popular item: amethyst. Known as the stone of happiness, amethyst’s purple color comes from traces of iron. Kallstrom says that amethyst, which is primarily found in Brazil and Uruguay, is not only beautiful, but also believed to open the crown chakra, promoting spiritual growth and connection.
“There isn’t much purple in nature, so even people who aren’t necessarily open to the spiritual side of things find purple beautiful and are drawn to it,” Kallstrom says, “…just because we can’t yet describe it or measure it doesn’t mean it’s purple. [the magic of crystals] does not exist.”
Event Center and Practical Programs
Nature’s Treasures has a community-focused approach, allowing community members to set up tables and offer their services. The community participation aspect has become so popular that Nature’s Treasures has launched a practitioner program. Participating practitioners offer services such as intuitive readings, aura photography, tea readings, massages, and more.
“We’ve seen an increase in demand for events with our practitioners,” Kallstrom says. “With a wide range of practitioners, from astrologers to pet fortune tellers, we’re sure to offer something for everyone.”
The program has grown into an active part of the business, and the events center will occupy 5,000 square feet dedicated to community events and outreach.
Community members who want to participate in the program can contact the companies to be interviewed and offer their services at a weekend mini-hands-on event.
Moving to a new location
Nature’s Treasures is one of more than 100 businesses relocating as a result of the TxDoT IH35 Corridor Project. While the store prepares to move to a new 23,500-square-foot location at 11055 N. IH35 Frontage Road, customers can rest assured that their current location at 4103 N I-35 will remain open through the end of the summer.
The new pop-up location at 11055 is open Friday through Monday from noon to 5 p.m., selling fresh merchandise sourced directly from the International Gem Shows in Tucson, Arizona, and Denver, Colorado.
Don’t want to drive I-35? From your current location, use the I-35 access road and turn left on Cameron (which becomes Dessau). Turn left on Braker and left on Joseph Clayton. Turn right towards WoodSpring Suites and Nature’s Treasures will be on your left.
Find out more about the business on their website and plan your visit today: To get the latest news from Nature’s Treasures, subscribe to our newsletter.
The above story was written by Samer El Shahawy, a senior multi-platform journalist in the Community Impact Storytelling team, using information provided exclusively by local businesses as part of “sponsored content” purchased through our advertising team.
