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Helen Bergman, owner of the Iron Horse Antique Mall, commended area firefighters for all of their enduring efforts during that frigid February day. In addition, she said the community has displayed strong support for her business.
"We've been very well supported by the community," Bergman said. "Boone has been very supportive."
Customers and antique dealers also played their part in helping the store make its return to downtown Boone.
"All of our customers have been very supportive," Bergman said. "Our dealers have been very supportive of me and very supportive of each other."
One week prior to the tragic downtown fire, the Iron Horse Antique Mall had just celebrated its two-year anniversary. The overall friendly atmosphere of the business was but one aspect of Bergman's "retirement job" that she thoroughly enjoyed after concluding a 28-year career as the manager for Iowa Workforce Development in Boone.
"This is a fun retirement job," she said. "I love it."
With a lifelong love for antiques, she did not let the downtown fire dampen her spirits. Along with the support of 15 antique dealers, Bergman reopened her business at its new location March 9, and customers were quick to show their appreciation and support.
"Congratulations," Bev Coghlan, of Boone, said to Bergman, Tuesday afternoon as she entered the Iron Horse Antique Mall's new Sixth Street location.
One customer said, "Glad you're back in business" and other comments from customers described the store as being a "great, comfortable place" that is both wonderful and very friendly.
"When our customers come in, we greet everyone," Bergman said. "We stop what we're doing and we greet everyone who comes in the store."
Not only is the store's atmosphere friendly, but it also provides patrons with the chance to stop, shop and visit over a cup of coffee - as free coffee is available. Visitors are welcome and are also entitled to a free store tour.
Iron Horse Antique Mall employee Steve McCoy is also known for creating an uplifting mood among employees and customers.
"Everybody loves Steve," said antique dealer Joyce Carroll. "Steve has such a following."
Tuesday afternoon, two antique dealers who do business with the Iron Horse Antique Mall were in the process of setting up displays to showcase their offerings.
Carroll said that on the day of the fire, Bergman contacted all of her business partners to keep them informed about the store's future.
"She had a meeting after the fire and we all supported her," Carroll said.
Carroll said a family-like bond between customers and dealers alike are two driving forces that kept the business going.
"We're a family down here," she said. "The dealers have really become a family - I have never seen so many people work so well together."
With the new location, the store is one level, which is far more advantageous than the four levels that the previous location at 803 Story St. had to offer.
"We're looking at the one level as a plus," Bergman said. "Everything is on ground floor."
In addition, the new location is handicapped accessible and can accommodate parking with parking lots adjacent to the building. The store also has great lighting and an easily accessible consignment room.
"We're just a block off of Story Street and we've made sure the sign was big enough that it was visible from Story Street," Bergman said. "The parking is also a plus."
Along with a general line of neatly displayed antiques, the Iron Horse Antique Mall also offers collectibles and furniture and its dealers also feature Amish baskets, country décor, framed art, linens and lace, pottery and pans, prints and frames, buttons and beads, crocks and crates, handcrafted furniture, pantry wares, primitives, railroad memorabilia and vintage metal toys.
Throughout the spring and summer, the Iron Horse Antique Mall will also be holding flea markets. The first two upcoming flea markets are scheduled for Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 in the business's parking lot.
Tuesday afternoon, handfuls of customers entered the business and continued to express their appreciation to the business for reopening its doors.
"It's fantastic," said Ted Reader, who moved to Boone from Minneapolis in July. "This town really does need a nice antique store."
Over the years, Bergman said she has made a lot of friends along the way.
"All of our customers are our friends - we get to know our customers," she said. "We're in it to make people feel happy, feel comfortable and to help them."
Bergman also said reopening the business would not have been possible without a strong outpouring of community support.
"We've been very well supported by this town," Bergman said. "We're thankful all of our friends have supported us and have returned."
The Iron Horse Antique Mall is now located at 927 6th St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information on the Iron Horse Antique Mall, contact Helen Bergman at 432-5577.
