For 28 years, Kelly Heying has co-owned Buy Me Toys & Comics in Mishawaka alongside her husband. While she didn’t grow up around comic books and collectibles, it has since become something she is deeply passionate about.
A South Bend native, Heying attended Washington High School before pursuing chemistry at the University of Michigan and Indiana University South Bend. Though she had originally planned to become a teacher, her career took a different path when she and her husband decided to open a comic book and collectibles store.
“My husband had his business license at age 15 and had been doing mail order and mall shows since then,” Heying said. “We wanted to take things to the next level and open a store. We looked at a place in the 100 Center, but it wasn't the right time. Almost exactly a year later, we opened the store in the 100 Center at that same exact spot — November 2, 1996.”
From the start, the store offered a variety of items including comic books, action figures, vintage memorabilia, and “Star Wars” collectibles.
While her husband had been reading comic books since childhood, Heying was only introduced to the comic book world after they met.
“Once I started reading comics, I took off. I actually started reading more than my husband for a while — we both read quite a bit. My favorite comic series has become ‘Batman,’” Heying said. “Then, my husband introduced me to collecting Barbies to help me understand the collectible nature of things.”
While still staying true to its roots, the Heyings have adapted Buy Me Toys & Comics to keep up with trends.
“Comic books have stayed resilient over the years, though some may be more popular than others at times because of movies,” Heying said. “Throughout the years, we’ve evolved with action figures, statues, and other collectibles. ‘Star Wars’ and superheroes in the action figure realm are primarily what we stick with. There is definitely a nostalgia factor in our store.”
For Heying, one of the most rewarding aspects of running the business is the combination of welcoming in new customers and seeing familiar faces enter the store.
“It's great to see a kid walk into the store for the first time, and their face lights up because they're so excited to see everything,” Heying said. “We also have customers who have been with us for 28 years and are still excited to come in to check out what’s new.”
Beyond the store, the Heyings have made community involvement a priority. They actively sponsor guests for the Hall of Heroes Comic Con in Elkhart and take part in Free Comic Book Day every May, inviting everyone into the store to select a free comic, no purchase required.
When she’s not at work, Heying enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children, frequently visiting their daughter in Indianapolis. She also loves being outdoors and hiking.
After almost three decades, Buy Me Toys & Comics has become more than just a store. The Heying family’s dedication and passion has created an experience of nostalgia and joy for both new and long-time customers alike.