There are many costume chain stores to patronize for this spooky holiday, however, shopping local can offer a more unique selection or the ability to manifest a specific vision. These small businesses offer a wide variety of costumes, wigs, and accessories to help their customers build their ideal ensembles.
Dark Creations ATX
A designer of professional-grade costumes, Dark Creations ATX is located near Austin, Texas. Adam Lane and his wife started this small business in 2011 and after steady growth, they upgraded into their own warehouse a few years ago.
The Dark Creations costumes are detailed and realistic, geared toward films, haunted attractions, and serious Halloweeners. Some movies known to feature the small business’s work are “Gags The Clown,” “Cry Havoc,” and “Shriekshow.” The filmmaker behind “Gags the Clown,” Adam Krause, wanted his main character to have believable threads. “I didn’t want just a cheap $30 clown costume from Halloween Express and a cheap mask,” Krause said. So he found Dark Creations to outfit Gags and made the mask himself.
Lovers of horror and sci-fi, the Dark Creations team recreate well-known creepy characters and terrifying tropes. Krampus, the Grim Reaper, warlocks, and killer clowns are just some of the spooky figures that inspire their designs.
Hollywood Toys & Costumes
Sandwiched between a Thrifty Drug Store and a J.J. Newberry Co. five and dime store, Hollywood’s Largest Toy Shop opened its doors on Hollywood Boulevard in 1950. Originally owned by the Ellowitz family, the Moazzez family took over in 1980, changed the name to Hollywood Toys & Costumes, and later moved next door into the art deco building that once belonged to J.J. Newberry Co.
This small business has withstood the test of time through economic pitfalls and the rise of Amazon. A novelty store to tourists and locals, and an invaluable resource to nearby movie studios, Hollywood Toys & Costumes is one of LA’s last remaining brick-and-mortars offering year-round access to tangible costume pieces and props. Although the store carries packaged costumes, they have a wide selection of individual pieces for people to bring their visions to life. They ultimately want to provide an experience to their patrons that sparks creativity and imagination. “We are about building that experience of finding or even creating [a costume],” Natalie Moazzez said.
Lovers of horror and sci-fi, the Dark Creations team recreate well-known creepy characters and terrifying tropes. Krampus, the Grim Reaper, warlocks, and killer clowns are just some of the spooky figures that inspire their designs.
Correen’s Creative Designs
A costume and dress maker in Brighton, Michigan, Correen’s Creative Designs started as a side hustle for Correen Borst-Straub in 2002. A couple of years later, she and her husband decided to build out her business and she can honestly say, “I absolutely love my job!”
Borst-Straub has been sewing since she was about seven years old, inheriting the skill from the matriarchs in her family. She dabbled in other artistic pursuits, but this one stuck. Now she uses her natural talent and meticulousness to construct high-quality ensembles for theater, dance, cosplay, and of course, Halloween. Being detail-oriented, Borst-Straub also likes to consider where her costume-wearer is going. “If you’re going to a party in a small apartment, you probably won’t want to wear a huge Marie Antoinette dress,” she said.
Correen’s Creative Designs offers alteration services and dress design for any special occasion, sewing patterns, costume kits, fabrics, and supplies. The small business also expanded this year, offering studio and prop rental.
KMK Designs
Sheridyn McClain and her daughter Kaitlyn bonded over their mutual love of creating costumes and joined forces professionally in 2008. Together they built KMK Designs, specializing in quality costumes, bridal gowns, steampunk attire, and everyday wear. They worked together for 10 years until Sheridyn retired. Kaitlyn continues to carry the torch, producing intricate pieces in their St. Paul studio.
KMK Designs has designs to choose from and takes custom orders. Each order is made from scratch, custom to order, with a test garment sent to the customer to guarantee the best fit. One-of-a-kind requests undergo an extensive process to ensure that everything is made just right. Existing designs can also be tweaked for a low custom fee.
The Costume Emporium
Founder of the Christmas Light Emporium, Darren Vader has started a second holiday product enterprise, The Costume Emporium. Based in Denton, Texas, this online store offers a wide variety of adult and children costumes, masks, wigs, hats, and other accessories. The company hopes to spread joy and be a part of memorable moments like kids’ dress-up adventures, birthday parties, themed get togethers, or holidays like Halloween and Christmas.
Vader credits his single mom for his entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up watching her work hard to provide for him and his brother, to then sacrifice what little time she had for herself to give them a fond childhood, ignited something in him. He hopes to spread hope and help create lasting memories through his two holiday-oriented businesses.
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