![Sonny Sansom and Leslie Martin pass on the famed Copper Gecko statue to Rosemary and Argel Quiroz at the Copper Gecko Retirement Celebration hosted by Pat Richards on Saturday.](http://www.copperarea.com/pages/wp-content/uploads/copper-gecko-400x300.jpg)
Sonny Sansom and Leslie Martin pass on the famed Copper Gecko statue to Rosemary and Argel Quiroz at the Copper Gecko Retirement Celebration hosted by Pat Richards on Saturday.
Surrounded by many local business owners and community members, Leslie Martin and Sonny Sansom gathered to celebrate the retirement of their store, The Copper Gecko, which opened six years ago on Main St. The store has featured a wide variety of items from gently used second hand merchandise, jewelry, locally made crafts and jewelry, antiques and souvenirs.
Many were saddened to hear that this was the last year for the Gecko but a big announcement was made at the retirement party on Saturday. Local businesswoman Rosemary Quiroz and her husband Argel have purchased the Copper Gecko and will be moving her flower shop Rose’s Roses Flowers, Printing and Gifts, into the Gecko and will be keeping the multi-vendor store open. The store under new ownership is expected to open Sept. 1 after additional renovations are made to the building.
Quiroz is looking forward to expanding her flower business and renting the deck for events. Rose’s Roses will remain in operation at its current location next to Felicia’s Ice Cream shop until the renovations are completed. The Copper Gecko store is currently closed for the summer as it normally does.