×

Costume Closet: Crystal Falls shop boasts a host of Halloween options

Costume Closet volunteer manager Gloria Frederickson displays a colorful can-can dress, one of thousands of costumes available for rent this Halloween season at the shop in Crystal Falls. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photos)

CRYSTAL FALLS — Visitors may be surprised by the dress-up world they can discover behind the doors at 304 Superior Ave. in Crystal Falls.

The Costume Closet has called the site home for the past 11 years, filling the two-story building with thousands of articles of clothing and accessories.

“Those unfamiliar with us have no idea what we have to offer,” said Gloria Frederickson, volunteer manager. “When it comes to Halloween costumes, you name it, we probably have it.”

The closet is that one-stop shop, meaning everything is included in the rental outfits — hats, gloves, glasses, jewelry, whatever it takes to make the ensemble complete.

And the closet specialize in creative costumes for those looking to be unique.

Gloria Frederickson shows off a Dolly Parton outfit.

Frederickson this week was putting together three special requests — two characters from the “Harry Potter” films and also Dana from the movie “Ghostbusters.”

The closet also keeps a large file of reference materials to help in creating the perfect look.

Two of the more “strange” and challenging costumes she has done included Humpty Dumpty and a half-man, half-woman in wedding gown and tuxedo.

Frederickson plans to work on the characters from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” for next year.

Popularity of costumes do vary from year to year, but any figure from “Star Wars” always is a big hit.

“‘Grease’ and the 1920s attire is also in demand,” she added.

For those not yet sure who or what they might want to be, the Costume Closet can get those creative juices flowing.

They have many regular shoppers who put in their requests early, so she advised coming in now before it gets busy.

But don’t think it’s too late to find something — “we always have a mad rush right before Halloween,” she said.

Sizes range from small child to adult.

Frederickson also stressed they are not just a Halloween shop. They also have characters for all holidays — especially Christmas, including Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and elves.

The Costume Closet has been assisting the community for the past 25 years with countless theater productions, fundraising events, haunted houses, parades, church activities and more.

A new popular trend she’s seen is parents and grandparents dressing up for a child’s birthday party.

“Kids just love it — that is one thing that they remember,” Frederickson said.

Demand for the shop’s rentals have expanded beyond the Upper Peninsula, with their “Wizard of Oz” cast attire recently making the trip to a classroom in downstate Michigan. “You can say we have gone national now,” she said.

Frederickson established the volunteer-based, non-profit Costume Closet in 1994 as part of the Crystal Theatre, collecting formals and robes for productions. They first set up in the theater basement, the second floor and what now is called Stage Left, she said.

In 2008, Jim Kunz donated the building so the closet could relocate to allow for more storage.

Operating on a very small budget means it does not buy clothing or other items but relies on donations to build their inventory. That also allows them to keep prices down compared with other costume rental sites.

A deposit is required for all rentals and costumes must be returned in a timely fashion. Rentals for full costumes start at $25.

(Continued on 3-A)

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today