Today we’d like to introduce you to Susanne and James Ali.
After collecting fossils as a hobby for many years growing up, Dave Douglass opened Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop in 1970 at the age of 20 at 1312 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, Illinois. The shop contained minerals and fossils, mostly self-collected by the Douglass family.
One year later, Dave met his wife to be, Sandy, who shared his passion for rocks and fossils. They travelled extensively throughout the western United States, Canada, and Mexico on collecting and buying trips. The shop, along with their collection, began to grow… They began adding many new curiosities and unique items to the shop back home. Among these were Native American jewelry and crafts, carvings from various locations around the world, and many other types of objects fashioned from minerals and fossils.
Over time, their private collection of fossils became quite extensive, growing to include some very rare and unique pieces. They felt that it should be on display for anyone who was interested in prehistoric life to enjoy it (without charge).
So in 1987 they moved to a larger shop down the street at 704 Main Street with a lower level suitable for displaying the collection. One year later, The David and Sandra Douglass’ Prehistoric Life Museum opened to the public. It contains fossils from every geological time period going all the way back to Precambrian times (some 3 billion years ago). Of special interest is the largest display of fossils from the famous Mazon Creek area here in Illinois, many of which Dave collected while growing up. Some of these fossils are even named after the Douglass family, as they were the first to discover the species. There are also fossils from around the world, including a complete cave bear skeleton from France, small dinosaurs from China, Amber with insects from Mexico, trilobites from the United States and Canada, and fossil crabs from Italy.
The museum is the largest private prehistoric museum that is on display for the general public to enjoy. And today, it is still free of charge!
Although Dave and Sandy still continue to travel and collect both for the museum and shop to this day, they do so alongside of the new shop owners, Jamie & Susanne Ali, (Dave & Sandy’s brother & sister-in-law). So, the business has stayed in the family. In 2015, Jamie & Susanne moved the shop to a facility across the street located at 711 Main Street, a store that is 3 times the size of the old store!
It’s a wonderfully unique place to visit for both young and old, amateur and expert. With such an amazing variety of fossils, rocks, crystals, jewelry and more, it’s a great place to learn about, or just enjoy, the beauty of some of the most amazing treasures the Earth holds. Truly one of the hidden gems of the Chicago area!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Well, taking over a successful business, and then trying to live up to those standards can be tough. However, we have been lucky to have a very dedicated crew working alongside us. Dave and Sandy still joins us on our buying trips, as our training in the mineral and fossil field continues.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
There really isn’t another place in the Midwest like Dave’s Rock Shop. Although there are other rock shops, Dave’s clearly stand out from the rest. We are in a niche market, specializing and selling mineral & fossil specimens, jewelry made of semi-precious stones & Native American artistry. We also house the largest private prehistoric life museums, that’s open to the public. And it is free of charge!
We are widely regarded as the largest and most comprehensive stores of our kind in the Midwest. We’re very well respected and well known in our field, not only across the U.S., but internationally. Dave’s Rock shop offers a broad price range, of items, priced as low as $0.50 up to items that are museum grade, collector’s specimens. Regardless of the price point, we try to obtain the highest quality material, at prices that are exceptionally fair.
What were you like growing up?
Jamie and I met playing volleyball. Susanne grew up in Denmark, and immigrated at the age of 19. Jamie grew up in Roger’s Park. (Close to the shop) and due to his brother-in-law and sister’s business has always had an interest in the fossil/mineral field.
Susanne initially helped out with the Rock Shop business during the holidays,
Going on buying and finding trips has exposed both of us to the “rockhound” world, and has made us so much more interested and curious about the beauty Mother Earth creates.
Contact Info:
- Address: 711 Main Street
Evanston, Il 60202 - Website: DavesRockShop.Com
- Phone: 847-866-7374
- Email: RockShop1@Att.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davesrockshop
Image Credit:
James Alan Ali
Ali Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
