Written by Diego Abeloos - Staff Writer
Los Altos Town Crier Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Carol Garsten, owner of Palo Alto’s Nature Gallery, plans to relocate her vast collection of geodes, minerals and fossils to downtown Los Altos next month.

After 17 years at Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village, Nature Gallery owner Carol Garsten is bringing her collection of minerals, fossils and jewelry to Los Altos.

Faced with an expiring lease and the possibility of her rent doubling, Garsten said she plans to close her Palo Alto shop Jan. 26 and reopen at 296 State St. Feb. 10.

Garsten told the Town Crier a key factor in her decision to move to the corner of State and Second streets was the positive energy she felt in the downtown area. Calling downtown Los Altos “a place that’s on the upswing,” Garsten said it was a case of going to the right place at the right time.

“I really want to be a part of something that’s positively changing, where it feels like there’s a positive energy,” said Garsten, who is planning a grand opening. “There are good things happening (in Los Altos).”