Last day of business is set for Nov. 1

– After 30 years serving the Central Coast, Costume Capers is closing its doors on Nov. 1. The closing comes after years of struggling to sustain the business in the light of “pop-up” holiday stores, the loss of the SLO Mardi Gras Festival and the ever increasing presence of internet purchasing, according to the shop owners.

Co-owners Keith Wetzel and Debi Hernandez say that they are crushed to have to say goodbye to the store. “It’s difficult to see it go,” Wetzel said, “It’s like losing a member of the family. This is where we loved working, and supporting the community for 30 years.”

Costume Capers has supported the theatre community from the Central Coast to New York through the San Luis Obispo location, and also through their rental shop where they have outfitted theatrical performances for all of the Central Coast’s theatre companies.

Customers now have a final opportunity to purchase the professional quality costumes they have rented for years. All costumes and retail items will start at 30-percent off starting on Sept. 10.

“We hate to see the store go,” Hernandez said, “but it’s our goal to keep these costumes on the Central Coast for use by local theatre productions in the future.” Wetzel said, “We started this business because it was great to serve the local arts. We hope that in closing we will be able to have our local theatre benefit in some way. I want to be able to come to a show in a few years and still see our costumes on stage.”

To help the owners avoid bankruptcy in their final days, a GoFundMe was created for donations.

The store is also looking for volunteers to help support the closing. This support can be in the form of running the cash register, greeting customers, cleaning, stocking or other various tasks. There are shifts available from 10:30-2 and 2-6:30 daily. For information about volunteering, click here.

Costume Capers is located at 2146 Parker Street, in San Luis Obispo. For more information call (805) 544-2373.