The Lone Heron Antique store in Dolores is a hidden treasure, filled with unique antique items, metal sculptures, and a one-of-a-kind collection of comic books and action figures.
Debbie Higman owns the Lone Heron. Her son, Brad Bonger, helps run the store, and maintains his own “Collector’s Corner” in the store. The store features antique and collectible items, as well as estate services at fair prices, even if those prices mean the store loses profit on some items.
“We don’t care about getting the best deal for ourselves. We care about giving the best deal,” Bonger told a Journal reporter.
The store offers great finds for anyone looking for something might not exist anywhere else. The store features several vendors’ items, including a beautiful collection of metal sculptures by local artist Paul Yniguez. A whole room is dedicated to these sculptures.
“I’ve actually had a stellar season,” Higman stated. The store is low on inventory, so she is planning a buying trip to help restock items in the store next week.
Higman moved her business to its current location in January 2021 after the building she was in, the Traditional Charm, was bought by another business in December 2020.
“I’ve been in this business for 30 years,” Higman said. Part of that time was spent abroad, making it a little more difficult to keep up with.
The business was fortunate when the pandemic hit in 2020. The store was still so small, so sales weren’t impacted greatly. Higman reported having continual customers coming in for what she called “retail therapy.”
“It was kind of an outlet for people,” she said. The store’s inventory grew during this time as well, which was helpful. “The pandemic really did not affect us that much.”
Bonger’s collection of comic books and action figures is a sight to behold, especially for a rural area like Dolores. Featuring about 2,000 comic books, countless figurines and other vintage collectibles, there is something for every comic book fan.
Growing up, Bonger moved around a lot, but he shared that Saturday morning cartoons kept him going. He started collecting action figures and enjoyed comic books until he turned 17, when he believed he had grown out of them. After that, his collection went to his younger brothers. Years later, while working in a prison, he took a part-time job at a friend’s comic book shop, which led to a renewed love for collecting.
Last year, Bonger was laid off from his job, leaving him unemployed for the first time in his life. His mother, Higman, needed some help around the store, so he jumped on the opportunity. His collection started in a small corner of the store, leading to the name “Collector’s Corner.” Since then, his collection has expanded into a small room, where items are neatly displayed on shelves and all over the walls.
“Nobody has it here. I’m the only one in Southwestern Colorado that has it,” Bonger said, referring to his collection. “I know it’s not much, but it’s more than anyone else.”
Bonger expressed how important comics and cartoons can be for him. He said that putting on old cartoons at the end of a long, hard day puts him in a brighter mood.
“I love doing it, it’s a lot of fun for me, and I like to pass on this kind of stuff because there’s so many things out there that bother people,” he said. He believes that his collection can bring a little joy to people’s lives.
