Business & Tech
Halloween 2011: Costumes at West Des Moines Shop Spark Excitement
West Des Moines' Theatrical Shop Showcases Hottest Halloween Costumes
They prowl. Day and night. Clawing and searching. Like the mindless zombies who crave human flesh, these determined beings hunt for the perfect Halloween costume.
“I love Halloween,” said Theatrical Shop employee Delena Ewald, who was dressed as an old-time baseball player. “I like dressing up and being someone else – even if just for a day.”
The Valley Junction shop has costumes for those aspiring to imitate everyone from Lady Gaga, Snooki and "The Jersey Shore" cast to zombies. Popular items also include political and cartoon masks and Native American wear.
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“A lot of people like to do zombie stuff or rock star stuff,” said Veronica Dietrick, manager of the store. “In reality, everybody has their own personality and idea.”
Prowling for the perfect costume
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Michael Jackson’s Thriller pumped from the stereo as Shawna Weimer, 24, of Ames, tried on a big white- and green-trimmed Southern Belle costume that she deemed too big to wear while bar-hopping this Halloween. Weimer, who is working on her master’s degree in animal physiology at Iowa State University, tried on five costumes before narrowing it down to two.
“It’s between Greek Goddess and Ghostbusters right now,” said Weimer, who ultimately settled on Ghostbusters.
Shop creates Halloween excitement
Dietrick said there’s an art to picking out the right costume. Some people plot months in advance. Others hop on current trends. The shop, established in Valley Junction in 1969, sells costumes and has 3,000 rental costumes available. Sizes range from toddlers to plus size, Dietrick said.
Want to be Peter from The Family Guy? The shop has a mask. A Roman soldier? Check. Scores of costumes of popular characters fill the shop: Raggedy Ann and Andy, Minnie Mouse, witches, Mario, Alice and Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Elvis and more.
Teiler Haines has worked at the shop for four years. Shoppers want cool costumes and spooky party decorations such as “chopped off feet and the severed head,” she said, laughing.