By Dan Johnson – Vice President, Trove Stone

Throughout my 34 years in the stone supply industry, my job has taken me to some amazing places. Our company has always believed that the best way to bring the most distinct, sought-after stone to the market is to get out of the office and visit the birthplaces of these stunning products of nature. This involves getting out of our comfort zones, enduring long travel days, and getting to the quarries and factories that make these offerings possible.

Quarries are not refined. They are typically located in remote areas—worksites built not to cater to the comfort of the client, but to get the job done. This means lots of dust, noisy machinery, extreme heat, and plenty of mud! While quarries may not be comfortable, they possess a beauty that is all their own. No matter how tired we are or how much we would love a nice, air-conditioned hotel room, no one on our team would rather be anyplace else, especially when we come across that special block of marble that we just know will be the best in show. Our passion for finding the finest stone, from granite and limestone to quartzite and travertine, ALWAYS trumps the challenges we encounter in finding them.

After these long days I have often stayed up with Kyle Keith, our purchasing manager, and brainstormed about how to transfer the passion we feel to the markets we serve. These are not just countertops or wall claddings; these are works of art.

In addition to the thrill of visiting quarries, we are equally engaged in visiting stone factories. Located on the grounds of the Antolini factory in Verona, Italy, is the Antolini Stone Gallery. From the moment you enter, it’s obvious this gallery offers something well beyond the typical experience at other stone factories. There is soft music playing and fine carpet under your feet, and the stone is displayed magnificently, of course. This artful presentation engages the senses of all who enter, showcasing natural beauty in an elegant, refined setting.

We have long dreamed of creating a space that captures the feeling of the Antolini Stone Gallery. With our focus on catering to the design community and the refined clientele they serve, we always knew an experience like this would be embraced.

Our dream was briefly delayed by the pandemic, but by 2023 we were focused on finding the right market for this Antolini-inspired space. We explored several cities, but Kyle and I always knew in our hearts that Nashville would be our new home. This city is like the products we represent: unique, immensely interesting, and always welcoming. This city has an enthusiasm for creativity and beauty that is special.

In late 2024 we found our location, a newly constructed 30,000-square-foot facility: a blank canvas on which we could create our own version of what we had been so inspired by in Verona. TROVE STONE was officially born.
Over the next year we poured our hearts and souls into turning our vision into reality. With an all-star team led by our Nashville-based general manager, Tanner Wesp—and even including Alberto Antolini himself—we knew we had the recipe for success. Carpet was laid in the gallery, brand-new cranes were installed, and a comfortable and welcoming showroom was constructed. No detail was too small in creating TROVE STONE.

The definition of trove is a collection of valuable objects discovered or found. We do not create the beauty we sell; we simply discover and present it in the most impactful way we can. We’re here to help the design community and their clients understand the power that natural stone can have in a space. We are here to help our community unearth the extraordinary.