Feb 15, 2013

Couple Have Faith in Moorpark’s Hearts of Jade Gift ShopBy Karen HibdonVCStar.com

Moon Park, CA – A new gift shop on Moorpark’s historic High Street is a leap of faith and a matter of the heart for owners Chris and Sandy Johnson.

Housed in an old gas station building dating back to 1935, Hearts of Jade — Succulent Garden Art & Gift Shop opened Sept. 2, but seeds for the project were planted last spring. The Johnsons, both 55, are hoping to be a catalyst in the area’s goal of becoming a destination. More importantly, the quaint enterprise has given them a new lease on life.

The couple met 14 years ago. Before opening the gift shop, they had careers in the health care field. He worked 25 years as surgical and orthopedic technologist and she spent 14 years as a surgery scheduler. Stress was a byproduct, they say, although neither wanted to admit their jobs were taking a toll on their health.

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