Local shop offers one-of-a-kind costumes

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Tired of conventional Halloween costume stores and the unoriginal outfits these shops might offer, Lansing resident Bethany White and her boyfriend, Jemar Jones, started searching for something more authentic.

“We had something more specific in mind that you can’t always find in a regular costume store,” White said.

After researching stores in the area online, White came across local performing arts company Lansing Civic Players, 2300 E. Michigan Ave., in Lansing.

The company has its own costume shop from which it allows customers to rent costumes. The company’s collection consists of clothing from previous productions held throughout the more than 80 years it has been in existence ­— a collection of more than 20,000 pieces to choose from.

“I generally say we’re not like any other Halloween costume store because it’s like a giant closet when you walk in,” store manager Laura Wheaton said.

The collection includes dresses, suits, wigs, hats and shoes, organized by era, ranging from the medieval times up until about 1990.

“Everything is taken care of really well, and there’s a large variety from many different eras, so it gives you a lot of options,” White said.

White, who rented a Victorian-era costume from the store, and her boyfriend, who got a costume to match, were in search of out-of-the-ordinary costumes for their holiday festivities, and with the help of the costume shop’s staff, found just that.

“If you’re getting clothes that are from a play or something like that, they’re going to look more authentic than just the little, thin, cheap-made costumes,” White said.

Costumes are available to rent for one week and typically cost $45, except for those that are extremely elaborate, which cost more. Single pieces such as shoes or accessories also can be rented without a costume for $30.

A $150 deposit is required when renting a costume but is refunded upon returning the costume, as long as it is not damaged.

Communication junior Melanie Kohn, who typically purchases her Halloween costumes at Spirit Halloween, 3025 Preyde Blvd., in Lansing, said the cheaper cost to rent a costume rather than purchase one and the fact that she purchases a new costume every year could convince her to shop somewhere other than her usual store next year.

“I never rewear my Halloween costumes anyway,” she said.

Although she is open to renting a costume, she said she is not interested in renting one from Lansing Civic Players because she feels the store would lack modern costumes.

“I’m really picky with my costumes, so if they’re just from plays, I don’t think I would like that,” she said.

But Wheaton said she often will take custom orders if a customer can not find exactly what he or she is looking for at the store.

“Anything you can come up with, I can do for you,” she said.

White said she typically goes to popular Halloween stores such as Halloween USA or Party City, 400 Frandor Ave., in Lansing, but was much more impressed by the selection of costumes at Lansing Civic Players.

With thousands of pieces in stock and a wide range of costumes, Wheaton guarantees no two customers will look alike.

“Even if four people came in and all wanted to be pirates, they would all walk out being different,” she said. “There’s just no way you could look like someone else with our stuff.”

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