Gator Emporium

Vicki

2023-05

My daughter and I loved browsing through the store. Such an eclectic assortment of items. And diverse styles of beads like I’ve never seen even before!

Nick Hellmich

2020-05

Gator Emporium has a nice selection of beads, prescious stones, jewelry, carvings masks and statues, and much more. Really cool stuff, something for everyone. Staff was friendly and store was clean.

tjayston

2023-06

Amazing selection of beads, and so much more. Very friendly helpful staff

Madison Norwood

2023-05

Been one of my favorite shops for 10+ years. Best priced incense and sage around. Jewelry making supplies, beads, knickknacks, and one of a kind items. Wide variety of mineral specimens from around the world. They've got animal skulls, horns, leather and so much more.

Luke Pour Misfit Newnum

2023-05

The place was very cool, had tons of cool things, when it came time to buy, the girl at the register first cussed at me, then talked to my wife and proceeded to appear to pass out at the register. At that point we made our son put his stuff down and we were walking out as we heard the girl cuss at the next group in line as well. They also put all of their stuff back and bought nothing that day. Very disappointing.

Anne Smudz

2023-05

Such a great store! The selection of beads is fantastic. It's like a kid in a candy shop for me. My husband and I stopped and I bought some stone beads and Beau, one of the employees, was SO kind - he even offered for us to come by later and helped me turn a few items into gorgeous necklaces. Priceless experience and so wonderful. Highly recommend this store!

Merrideth Sieckert

2019-05

If you are lucky enough to be in Ouray Colorado this is a must-see store! The emporium has been my favorite at least 20 years and now my children and grandchildren love it too! Anything and everything you want is in this store plus a whole lot more. The family that runs it is very friendly and accommodating. I cannot go to Ouray without visiting the Gator Emporium!

M S

2023-05

Lots of fun to explore but very disappointed with the rude staff. One of our group made an $80 purchase of beads and only discovered just as the sale was completed and before leaving the store, that had she purchased $100, she would have received a 25% discount! She had already put back some of the beads she wanted because of the mounting total. The staff refused to let her redo the sale. You’d think they would have mentioned something or been willing to work with her, but I guess tourist visitors are not that valued. We come to Ouray quite often, but will avoid the store in the future

Caitlyn

2023-05

I don't know who the lady is that the other reviews are talking about, but I was welcomed into the store by Wesley. What a total gem and genuine soul she is. We sparked up a real awesome conversation. I spent quite some time in the store, it was like a little store created for me to stop in while I was in Ouray. Super rad, and fair priced. I could've stayed in there forever, but they have to close at some point don't they? Lol. I left with some gifts for my family and for myself. I will most definitely be back the next time I find myself in Ouray! Thank you Wesley!!!

Benjamin L

2023-05

I walked into this store while visiting Ouray with a couple of friends. Upon walking in, I quickly began to notice that a lady who I assume was the owner of the store was watching us, and clearly upset by our presence. Even though we were enjoying shopping for a number of rocks/other objects, the lady confronted us and asked us very aggressively whether or not we were going to buy any of her products. Later on, after we had looked around for a good while and one member of our party had made a $30 purchase, we decided to head out of the store (the owner’s intrusive presence continued to bother us during this entire process). While leaving, the owner left a conversation with another client simply to mock us, telling us “that’s what I thought” when she saw us leave empty-handed. All in all, the products offered were not unique or particularly impressive, and the atmosphere created by the hostile owner made the trip to the Gator Emporium completely unbearable.

Owen Barnes

2023-05

When walking into the Gator Emporium with a group of friends, I was excited to shop around and maybe find a cool souvenir or two. Unfortunately the shop owner decided based solely on our looks that we couldn't be trusted. She was following us around and giving unfriendly looks when there were plenty of other people in the store being ignored. At one point she asked us curtly, "Are you going to buy anything or are you just going to mess around?" We hadn't been messing around at all, just respectfully looking at the merchandise in the store. She made us feel uncomfortable and we left right away, and upon leaving she said to us, "that's what I thought". The shop owner was incredibly immature and I would love to give this store a lower score if it was possible.

Ross Y

2023-05

What I assume the was Owner of the store had an unkind personality and did not allow any schmeiering. Similarly to other experiences shared, me and my friends went to the store hoping the browse the multitude of products. After browsing for 5 minutes the store owner approached us and started to viciously interrogate us stating, “are you guys going to buy something or are you just going to mess around”. Me and my friends agreed that there were plenty of stores exactly like it and decided to calmly leave only to be bombarded by the owner who stopped helping anther costumer just to say to us, “that’s what I thought”. Wish I could give this store 0 stars.

Corina Hurst

2023-05

I have been to Gator Emporium twice, once in 2021 and once in 2022. Both visits were great experiences. They didn't have what I was looking for this year, but lots of pretty things to check out. The gal at the register was sweet and we enjoyed our time. I'm puzzled that others have left less positive reviews, I will happily come back next time I'm in Ouray.

Virgie Krane

2022-05

So many interesting gifts. Beautiful store. Friendly staff. A must see family business with long local history. Lots of patrons when I visited and no one got chased or scolded even though I couldn’t help watching a few shifty folks too cozy with the beads! Got all my souvenirs here!

Rosa Menchaca

2019-05

I think the summer hours are longer than posted. We passed by several times during our stay and they seem to be open until 9pm or so. We had fun poking around the store. Lots of entertaining stuff for sale. We left with 4 or 5 gifts. The sweet lady working in the jewelry and bead area was kind as can be. My kids found several very nice rocks on our Jeep outing near the mines and she walked me through step by step how to turn the rocks into jewelry. She was very knowledgeable about what would work and what wouldn't. I'm sad I didn't get a chance to go back to buy what I needed. She had everything you needed and things you didn't know you needed to make some fun jewelry.

Ashley Graves

2021-05

I wish I could give this place zero stars. I have never witnessed such child hood behavior and profiling on behalf of the store owner. I walked in with my friend, overwhelmed and excited to browse to awesome array of items, and hopefully pick out a couple treasures. I quickly noticed that the store owner was watching myself and my friend like a hawk, circling around and even doing the same to others. I asked to check out the display of rings, clearly labeled, “rings $13” only to have her snap back that they are toe rings. My friend found a card to send to her grandmother and I found a pair of earrings that I carried around while I browsed. I decided they weren’t my style and put them back on the display where I found them, and my friend chose to just go find a postcard from another store to send. Here is where the problem really escalated. As we were walking towards and out the door the owner quickly stopped checking out her current customer to interrogate us. “Decided not to get the rings or the postcard ladies?” Which we politely responded, “yes”. Then beyond my belief she went, “did you put them back or did you just set them down somewhere?”. The lady working the store who I presume to be the shop owner based on reviews with similar experiences was rude and in these trying times not appreciative to even have customers in her store. It was embarrassing to be questioned as if I was stealing items from her store. As if I could not afford the $6 earrings I was considering getting. So, if you’re looking for a store where you can go and be profiled, interrogated, have your character put into question, and feel rushed to shop, then this is your place.Might I also add, for a shop containing a multitude of crystals known to help with ones mood and spirit, the owner is most certainly not benefiting from their presence.

Clayton

2022-05

Great stuff, but the owner is VERY RUDE obviously thought we were stealing, and checked up on us every two minutes. After ten minutes of just checking things out, she said to “buy something or get out of my store” and then we picked something, when we checked out she said “all that browsing for a eight dollar thing” then she rolled her eyes. Obviously she does not value our nor your Business. Very clear were not welcome back.

brian bird

2023-05

My wife LOVES the beads! Fun stuff including a waving cat.

Forrest Gerke

2021-05

This is one of my favorite little shops. I started going there 20 years ago when I lived in the area and now I always make a trip there when I'm visiting. They have such a wide selection of unique and wonderful items from all over the world. It's a great place to buy gifts.

alyson macmullan

2021-05

The Owner ran me out of the store because I didn't have my mask over my nose. This woman created a scene in the store, in front of other customers, by chastising me from all the way in the back to the front of the store. She then followed me out to the sidewalk to continue lecturing me on "common courtesy". What that woman didn't know after she humiliated me is that I'm SEVERELY claustrophobic and I'm doing the absolute best I can. We were tourists in Ouray and had a lovely time, but that definitely left a stain on our experience.

Eli Rosenkranz

2023-05

The lady who works there showed no courtesy to a my friends and I as we shopped. She encouraged us several times to buy something or leave, and when we left made a hurtful remark. She said, “that’s what I thought”.

Abby Lynar

2019-05

Stopped by twice this past weekend. Picked up some unique earrings, crystals and wooden masks. Very cool store and very friendly staff! Next time I’m in Ouray we will be sure to stop in again.

Ramsey Brown

2019-05

Great shop. Has an assortment of goods; the regular tourist gifts are there but what sets them apart is their selection of single and strand beads; Native American jewelry and art; clothing like pashmina scarfs and cotton pants/shirts; spiritual items like singing bowls, crystals and other great stones and jems; regular stick and cone incenses, along with sage wraps and san paulo wood.Beyond that the owners are wonderful. I was looking for something specific that they did not have; instead of just sending me on my way she called a few stores in Montrose that she thought might have what I needed. After two or three calls we found a place. I hadn't even boughten anything from them during that visit and yet they went out of their way to help. On my next visit, she greeted me by name when I came in. Which makes me feel bad since I cannot remember her name.Stop by and I swear you wont be disappointed, even if you don't buy anything!

Alyssa Fedel

2021-05

Gator emporium has such a fun and eclectic selection, perfect for any occasion. Our kids love their “rock boat” and I love their gorgeous selection of earrings. Lots of fun gift options here!

Jay

2018-05

Place is okay could be better with out the beads. Friendly staff.

Tasha Gonzales

2021-05

This used to be my favorite shop. Beautiful merchandise but the owner/worker is the complete opposite! Extremely rude causing a scene over a mask. Shame on you lady I hope u feel good about yourself.

Jenna Miller

2021-05

Super awesome store! Had everything I was looking for. Danielle who was working at the time was super helpful when I was trying trying find a specific crystal. Definitely should visit if you like crystals, rocks, jewelry or fossils.

Jarika H

2021-05

This is my favorite place on the Western Slope:) I always feel great energy, find magical trinkets, and learn something new. The Gator Emporium is worth taking in a few times. It's a special place in a beautiful mountain town. Visit!!!

Nikita Rose

2016-05

The store used to be awesome - it had so much interesting stuff from all around the world, taxidermied animals, etc, and a basement full of even more! Now it's mostly just jewelry and beads. It still has a few interesting items, but the selection is nothing compared to what it used to be.

Shawn Asmus

2019-05

Gator Emporium has all kinds of decor and knickknacks. A really fun place in which to shop and appeals to a wide variety of tastes. They have rocks & minerals, Oriental decor, beading products, salt rock lamps, and a whole host of other items.