Walnut Creek Dancewear Company Says Goodbye

WALNUT CREEK, CA — After decades of selling dance costumes and supplies to the Bay Area, Encore Theatrical Supply Co. has closed all of its stores.

Owners Ed and Merry Margolin decided to close the business, which they first took over in 1986, as Pleasanton Weekly first reported.

The store sold costumes, makeup and dance gear. Encore's Walnut Creek branch (1845 Ygnacio Valley Rd.) closed January 20 after 20 years of service. The Dublin store (7182 Regional Street) announced its closure March 16 on Facebook.

"Thank you to all our staff and our friends and customers over the years," Encore said.

The company was founded in 1958 by Eleanor Gruidl near Mills College in Oakland, according to Encore's website. The store moved to San Leandro, Castro Valley and Pleasanton before the Margolins took over.

The Margolins bought a bigger store in Pleasanton, moved that location to Dublin and opened the Walnut Creek branch.

Do you remember visiting Encore for dance class supplies? Tell us in the comment section below!