Thrift Stores Busy For Halloween

Sat., Oct. 21, 2000

Compiled By Joshua Studor

Austin Powers, President Clinton, Robin Hood and Pikachu will be stopping by houses on Halloween. Creativity and originality in costumes is almost as important as candy during the Halloween season.

Handle Extra asked several businesses what costumes they’ve seen customers coming up with this year.

Each year, Goodwill Industries has a sale of Halloween items that people have donated during the year. On Oct. 7, the store was really busy, a “howling success,” according to employee Suzan Heaton.

“That was the day that all the Halloween stuff hits the floor,” Heaton said. “(This year) there was this blue M&M costume that was cute as a button.”

Aside from actual costumes, Goodwill sells many pieces that are put together to make costumes. Used clothing helps the creative make costumes. Heaton said flapper dresses are really popular.

Goodwill is located at Fourth and Harrison in Coeur d’Alene.

Gladys Cody of Hospice Thrift Store in Coeur d’Alene said that people look for pieces of clothing that they can shred. Old sheets for making ghosts and old clothes for who-knows-what are always a staple for Halloween among her customers, Cody said.

Hospice in Post Falls carries few actual costumes, said Eunice Gillam. The costumes it does carry are mainly for little kids, including two of Gillam’s favorites this year - a tiger and a clown costume.

Gillam said two girls came in looking for costumes this year and found evening gowns. Other customers have bought baseball uniforms and some multicolored outfits.

Going the traditional way is often easier. A new store that sells only Halloween costumes, called the Halloween Bootique, opened in the beginning of September in the Silver Lake Mall.

Pokemon, Blue’s Clues, Austin Powers and pimp costumes are popular this year, according to Trish Nelson. Individual masks of wrestlers and presidential figures are also available. Nelson said that costumes there range from $10 to $60. The store will close by the end of the month.

Renting costumes is another way to go. Phony Express Telegrams and Costumes rents a variety of get-ups.

“It’s usually the same thing,” said owner Diane Wahl. Renaissance costumes like Robin Hood and Maid Marian are always popular. Saloon girls, flappers and gangsters are also hits. Disney costumes and ‘60s and ‘70s costumes are particularly big this year.

Wahl said that at least half their business comes during Halloween but they are also busy during Easter and Christmas. Young people, ages 18-30, are her biggest customers.

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