Stone Library crystallizes shopping opportunities for rock aficionados

The Stone Library, a new business in Oshkosh, gives local shoppers a crystal clear opportunity to access all their metaphysical needs. Located on Ohio Street, the newly opened crystal and rock shop is co-owned by West alumni Caysi Schmude and her mom, Tami Zempel. 

Inspiration for the new shop was formed from a lifelong love for the product.

“It was pretty much a hobby that turned into a business,” Schmude said. “It was just something that we both really loved doing, and we were avid collectors to the point where we thought maybe we should do something with this.” 

The mother-daughter duo have taken advantage of a familiar landscape for their business.

“We chose to stay in Oshkosh because this is where we have spent most of our time,” she said.

Besides a sense of familiarity, Schmude hopes to make a local impact with her new business.

“We just really wanted to stay within our community, reach out to new people, and find like-minded people in our area,” she said. 

The Stone Library provides a chance for a different kind of work more accessible to Schmude and her mother.

“I was a stay at home mom for five years before we started doing this and my mom has chronic migraines, so she can't necessarily work a full time job,” she said.

Despite these challenges, the new shop has provided both a healthy flow of income and a new found love.

“We figured this was the perfect way to sneak back into the workforce while doing something that we love,” she said. 

Making such a large career switch has not come without difficulties, however. The Stone Library has served as a learning experience for both owners.

“Finding a work life balance was really difficult, especially because neither me or my mom were used to being in a full time working situation until we started doing this,” Schmude said. 

Although there have been a few bumps along the way, The Stone Library teaches Schmude new things every day. 

“We are still just learning things like the fundamentals of owning a business, learning the rights and wrongs, making mistakes,” she said.

The shop offers a wide selection of items, making it a great stop for anyone looking to support a small business. 

“We try to hit every spot and make sure we have something for everybody, even if they wouldn't normally shop at a place like this,” Schmude said.

The Stone Library offers a vast variety of prices as well, ensuring that everyone can find something to purchase.

“We have jewelry from very high end pieces to things that are more affordable,” Schmude said.

More than just a shop, the products sold are often used for healing purposes, according to Schmude.

“We try to help people, oftentimes they come in looking for certain healing properties, I love sending things with them and having them come back saying they feel that change,” she said.

Overall, the personal touch and local background have these two looking to meet high standards.

“We take a lot of pride in our product, we wouldn’t put anything out on our shelves that we wouldn't want to keep in our own homes,” Schmude said.

by Delaney Smith

Published April 29 2024

Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue VII