Local boutique merchants have teamed up to open the River Trail Outpost in Dolores at 1321 Railroad Ave.

The cooperative mercantile features antiques, local artwork, furniture, housewares, country décor, outdoor gear, Native American jewelry, custom knives, unique items, gifts and more.

“I’ve always loved Dolores and wanted to open a store here. When we met our partners, it all fell into place,” said owner Mickey Brown.

After retiring from the construction trades, he and his wife, Ellie, moved to Cortez from Colorado Springs.

It was serendipity that the Antique Charm Mall in Dolores had just closed, because the shopkeepers that rented out sections needed a new place to go.

Barb Wallace, Fran Roggenbach, and Lori Shearer joined the Browns to open River Trail Outpost at the former Colorado State Park building next to Montezuma Mexican restaurant.

“When the Antique Charm closed, it left a big void, but we live on in a new location next to Riverside Park,” Wallace said. “We have a huge variety of items and have a similar format that blends together nicely.”

Local artists are featured at the store. Check out Rob Velarde’s Native American pop art, Bonnie Loving’s metalwork, Clarence Lowry’s carved wooden bears and raccoons, and Scott’s House of Tie Dyes.

“I’d like to host meet and greets with the artists,” Brown said.

Brown grew up in southern Utah and is Navajo. He was part of a traveling group that performed Native American dances in the Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods.

While living in Cedar City, Utah, Brown owned a bike and skateboard shop and built a skate park that is still used for competitions.

River Trail Outpost is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues to Sat. The phone number is (970) 880-5179.