New Year, New Edmonds Businesses To Explore (Part 2)
Some of the many activity stations for kids to learn at Rock Solid Science. Photo courtesy James Ritzman of Ritzman Arts LLC.
Written by Whitney Popa
Last month, we introduced you to four incredible new businesses in Edmonds—from a Hawaiian boutique to a waterfront sauna hut. Now it's time to meet two other newcomers who are giving you even more reasons to explore all corners of town.
Join us as we venture beyond the waterfront and into neighborhoods where many Edmonds locals frequent. One is tucked into the Five Corners neighborhood, where the late Anthony Bourdain once praised Noodle Hut, and Bar Dojo continues to push culinary boundaries. The other sits just steps from the beach, ready to spark curiosity in budding scientists and rock enthusiasts of all ages.
Keep reading to learn what makes these two businesses worth the trip—and why you should make a day of exploring their neighborhoods while you're in town.
Rock Solid Science, Amy Bergin | 120 W Dayton Street
Why Edmonds?
Edmonds has that perfect mix of waterfront charm, parks, and local shops. I've lived here for 20+ years, so opening my physical space here made sense. I just had to wait for the right spot.
What's been most fulfilling?
The most fulfilling part has been taking the leap and feeling excited to go to work every day! I love getting to use my creative brain in a way I couldn't before, and seeing families and kids light up when they walk in. Biggest lesson: startup finances are real. Budgeting for unexpected costs and building simple systems early on can really help.
What makes you special?
Rock Solid Science's new Learning Lab is a one-of-a-kind treasure trove focused on geology—lots of rocks, minerals, and fossils. What sets us apart is that science here is truly hands-on (no "look but don't touch"). You can touch everything, explore at your own pace, dig in a super cool animated sandbox, and leave with take-home treasures. It's perfect for kids with emerging science passions and for families looking for something fun and different to do in Edmonds.
What to expect:
When you walk through the door, you'll find a bright and welcoming space to explore rocks, minerals, and fossils up close—plus interactive activities and treasures to collect and take home. You'll also be greeted by a knowledgeable, friendly host and geologist who loves sharing stories and helping visitors dive in and discover.
A memorable moment:
There are so many "aha!" moments in here every day. Lots of them revolve around my sparkly 80-pound geode, "Gemmy." I might need to write a book about Gemmy the Geode. Anyway, I hear a lot of endearing things like "I wanna wook at wocks" or after a birthday party, I'll get "Best day ever!" or "coolest place ever." Another favorite is a child waving on their way out, saying, "Bye, see you tomorrow, Miss Amy!" There are so many excited kiddos and wonderful customers that fill my bucket each day. I've also had lots of families travel in from Whidbey Island, Maple Valley, Bellevue, and Gig Harbor—all over, really—and that feels awesome.
Favorite local spots:
Edmonds is full of great add-on stops. I often point visitors up into town to browse gems at The Wishing Stone, or if they want to stay near the waterfront, I recommend checking out the Cascadia Art Museum, then grab a treat at Top Pot or Snoqualmie Ice Cream (can't wait for this to open). Edmonds is a great day trip in so many ways—I always suggest a waterfront walk, beach time, or a picnic nearby. Actually…we really need a good deli down here!
Looking ahead to 2026:
In 2026, I'm excited to grow smartly—build more partnerships around town, add guest presenters, and try new marketing angles. I'm focused on welcoming more visitors through word-of-mouth, field trips, new classes, and Parent Night Out events, and getting the Learning Lab on more "things to do in Edmonds" lists. And of course, I'll keep stocking fun little gifts like old-school rock candy, shiny gems, and gummy dinosaurs—for anyone who loves geology (or just loves a good treat).
Find Rock Solid Science at 120 W Dayton St, and introduce yourself to Amy and Gemmy. Learn more at rocksolidscience.com or follow along on Instagram @rocksolidscience.
TNT Music, Tammy Schultz | 8416 Bowdoin Way
TNT Music in the Five Corners neighborhood. Photo courtesy James Ritzman of Ritzman Arts LLC.
Why Edmonds?
We have lived in Edmonds since 1996 and love the community. We moved to the Five Corners area when our son, who runs the store, was 2, so he was raised right here in the neighborhood.
What's been most fulfilling?
First of all, doing this as a family has been incredibly rewarding. Our son has wanted to own a business since he was very young, and it feels great to be able to do this for and with him. Having the store in Edmonds, our own community, is very meaningful. It has been great meeting so many people from the neighborhood and greater Edmonds area, and to have so many comment that they love the vibe of the store. It has been great building a sense of community with the owners and workers of stores in the Five Corners Plaza. All of them are amazing humans.
What makes you special?
We specialize in providing carefully curated vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes. From the beginning, we've asked customers to tell us what they want, and we make it a point to stock our shelves with special requests. We focus primarily on new products versus used. We have designed and created our store space to be inviting and warm.
Why make the trip?
There is something special about the format of vinyl records for music. They are real and tangible and often feature great covers. Coming into our store is like a breath of fresh air and a break from the digital noise that surrounds us all day, every day. It is simultaneously old school and modern.
A memorable moment:
Close to the holidays, a young girl, maybe 3 or 4, came in with her dad and headed directly to the metal section. She found Dio, picked it up, and yelled, "Daddy, this is the one I want!" We loved that she has such great taste in music and that her dad proudly chose to buy it for her. Another one is the day Taylor Swift's new album came out—we had a group of young teen girls come in, and their excitement at seeing the new album was incredible! They walked through the store and constantly said, "Oh, they have Madonna! Oh, they have Bruno Mars, I love Bruno Mars."
Favorite local spots:
We're partial to the businesses in Five Corners. City Dry Cleaners is amazing! The business is family-owned, and the owners are friendly and professional. Flyin Taco is so good. Frankies Barbershop is the best haircut in town. Casa Oaxaca and Bar Dojo offer great food and ambiance. You can't miss!
Looking ahead to 2026:
We're looking forward to kicking off monthly events in the store. We'll be doing things like having local artists come in to talk to customers about their music, and inviting experts to come and talk about how to select a turntable and how to care for vinyl. We're looking forward to getting better and better at filling special orders and bringing new releases in as soon as they hit the street.
Find TNT Music at 8416 Bowdoin Way in the Five Corners Plaza, and say hello to Tammy and the team. Learn more at tntmusic.shop or follow along on Instagram @tntmusicedmonds.
Make a Day of It
If you haven’t been to town lately, you may not know that Edmonds now has two incredible music stores (Musicology Co. downtown and TNT Music at Five Corners), so you can easily spend several hours vinyl hunting across different neighborhoods. And while you're exploring Five Corners, you'll find some of the best food in Edmonds hiding off the beaten path. In addition to Tammy’s list, foodies should note that the late Anthony Bourdain loved Noodle Hut (right next door to TNT Music). Plus, the Edmonds International District is just a few minutes away, giving you literal miles of great food along Highway 99.
Down by the waterfront, Rock Solid Science is the perfect starting point for a beach day. As Amy said, you can let the kids dig through geological treasures, then head outside for a waterfront walk, beach time, or a visit to nearby Salish Crossing, which houses Cascadia, Epulo Bistro, Brigid’s Bottleshop, and more. The beauty of Edmonds is that everything is close enough to string together into one perfect day.
Whether you're hunting for that one vinyl record on your wishlist, sparking a love of science in a young mind, or looking for an excuse to linger in new-to-you corners of town, these businesses are ready to welcome you with open arms, killer playlists, and sparkly geodes.
Make the trip. Visit both of the lead actors in this list. Tell them we sent you.
And, don’t forget to tag us when you explore so we can come along—through your phone screen, of course. We're @exploreedmondswa on Facebook and Instagram.