Buck and Handley both found Iron River while living in Illinois. Buck has been in the area for 17 years and Handley has called the Iron River area home for 10 years.

“One day we were having coffee and we said we should do something together, let’s come up with something,” Buck said.

Buck, a former hair stylist, had been working for a florist in Iron River and figured no one in the area was putting together and selling gift baskets. From that idea the Rose Quartz Cottage was born.

As luck would have it, the former Yooperland Real Estate office at 1 Genesee St., a log cabin-style building, came up for sale just as Buck and Handley were developing the idea of Rose Quartz Cottage. It seemed ideal for their business.

The Rose Quartz Cottage is at 1 Genesee St. in Iron River. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

“I had been in there before and always thought that it was such a cool building, but I also thought that it was wasted on desks and office space,” Buck said.

Thirty days after putting in an offer, the building was theirs. Buck’s husband added a colorful paint job to the outside of the building and Rose Quartz Cottage was ready for business.

Buck said they wanted to create a memorable place for customers.

“I love the idea of bringing fun to people. It is not about coming in here and spending money; I couldn’t care less (about that),” Buck said. “This is an experience for the five senses. It is bright and cheerful, our music is loud and fun, and we have complimentary coffee so it smells of coffee and candles.”

Buck said she wants people to leave happy.

Over time, what started as a gift basket service has morphed into a full boutique, with something for just about everybody, they said. Buck jokes she is a “tiny T.J. Maxx without the buying power”.

About 30% of her inventory is priced at less than $10, ensuring they can serve customers of all budgets. But they also try to introduce unique, different products that set the store apart.

Buck and Handley only stock the items they would like.

“When we first started, my husband said, ‘You cannot just buy what you like,’ and I said, ‘I will until it does not work; I am buying what I like,'” Buck said. “I have to live with it all, so it is still pretty much everything I would like.”

Some of the items Rose Quartz Cottage carries include jewelry ranging from $1 charms to $85 14-karat gold pieces, handbags, candles and clothing. The Rose Quartz Cottage also sells its own branded coffee and gift items with a wide range of prices.

Buck and Handley have fun connecting with customers and do so with daily Facebook Live broadcasts. Buck said that she uses the broadcasts to show customers what is new in the store, interact directly with the audience and most of all entertain viewers.

“I love when people from out of town come in and say, ‘Oh my gosh, we watch you guys every morning and you make us laugh,'” Buck said.

Buck calls her out-of-town customers the “icing on the cake” but is forever thankful for her local clientele who are consistent and loyal, adding they come in every time she gets something new and turn to the Rose Quartz Cottage for every special occasion.

At one time, Buck and Handley entertained the idea of moving the Rose Quartz Cottage into a larger location but have since abandoned the plan. They even have had offers to move to another community, but Buck said she would never leave Iron River.

“I truly believe that we are a treasure and I feel it belongs to Iron River,” Buck said.

The Rose Quartz Cottage is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. To view their daily livestream video or see other updates, go to their Facebook page.