THE BUZZ

Moonstone on the move

With new owners and a new location, Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals aims to crystalize its business in Wausau

Kim Opgenorth suffered from chronic pain, but ultimately found comfort in alternative medicine and metaphysical remedies. Today, she and business partner Ann Amelse run Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals on the west side of Wausau on 1st Avenue, just north of Eastbay (and, it should be noted, right next door to the new City Pages offi ces). Th e store sells 150-200 crystals and stones and gems, which cast a palette of color against the white walls and glass display cases of the neat little shop.

Chief among those stones is the Wisconsin Moonstone, a particular variety that was formed by a volcanic eruption about 1.5 billion years ago in what is now known as Stettin. In fact, that particular variety only is found in a very small radius in that area, on private land.

How did Opgenorth come to fi nd herself behind the counter of Bill’s shop? She started off as an apprentice. Th e shop is named for Bill Schoenfuss, who founded the shop in the basement of a vintage house turned commercial property on Grand Avenue. Schoenfuss is the area expert and collector of Wisconsin Moonstone, and started his store there about fi ve years ago.

Opgenorth, in her newfound passion for crystals and reiki, found the shop while browsing the internet one day and decided she needed to stop in. Being a customer didn’t satisfy her, however; she basically showed up and asked to be an apprentice. No pay was necessary she said; she just wanted to learn.

After a couple of years of apprenticing, one day she stopped in and Bill was upset; he was very stressed. Th e next day, he seemed much better. He’d found a solution to that stress: close the store, or pass it off , and return to simply collecting Moonstone.

Th e Wisconsin Moonstone is pretty remarkable. As seen in a display case at the new Bill’s location, it shines an iridescent blue; the term for that is schiller, Opgenorth tells me. It turns out the blue glow can be seen even in raw form. Opgenorth says sometimes on a misty morning a fi eld of moonstone will glow blue. It’s easy to see why Bill was eager to get back to the fi elds.

Having apprenticed for a couple of years, Opgenorth suggested she take over the store, and after some conferring, Opgenorth and Amelse decided they would take over the store together.

Moonstone and other crystals and gems aren’t the only things on off er. On Saturdays the shop hosts special events with energy healers and other spiritual folks. And on Facebook on Tuesdays, Opgenorth hosts a video series called Mystical Tibbit Tuesdays in which she shares information about crystals and stones. On a recent video she talks about tektites and their properties.

Customers are a mix of folks seeking the spiritual side and stone collectors, she says. Sometimes they even cross over, as she shared a story of one collector who became curious why a particular stone made him happy whenever he had it on his person.

Th e stones seem perfect for Instagram, and the store operates that along with Facebook. A website is coming.

As for Bill, he is still teaching them the ways of moonstone, how to cut it and shape it. Nothing is wasted with the moonstone, which has parties all over the world interested. Th ey have many Japanese customers who appreciate the sand from moonstone; it’s supposed to help the paint they use, Opgenorth says. Bill is even working on setting up public outings to the moonstone site and hopes to bring Japanese moonstone fans to the area.

Find Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals at 325 N First Avenue. Hours are 11-6 Tuesday through Saturday.

Wisconsin Moonstone is unique to a small spot in Stettin. It casts a blueish glow, which can be seen especially in the top stone.

Kim Opgenorth and Ann Amelse are the owners of Bill’s Moonstones and Crystals, which opened recently on First Avenue in Wausau. The duo took over for Bill Schoenfuss, who ran the store for five years on Grand Avenue.

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