The Costume Shop
It is perfectly acceptable to play dress-up as an adult. Why should children have all the fun?
Enter The Costume Shop in North Park’s main business district for a zero-guilt, airtight endorsement. As costumes typically evoke thoughts of Halloween, this bountiful, all-encompassing boutique has you covered all year round with disguises, masks and accessories guaranteed to delight.
Options abound at this family-run establishment, which has been in the costume game for a quarter-century. There is a plethora of costume jewelry, headgear (think hats), and accessories to be snapped up, but the shop is renown for its masks. And if they don’t have it, they’ll make it.
Proprietor Pamela Stompoly has a talent for custom-made masks and is a professional make-up artist who can usually accommodate the most obscure request. So impressive are her talents, she also does make-up (and costume design) for the Lyric Opera San Diego just around the corner. Her do-it-yourself makeup kits work for those with busy lifestyles, or she can make an appointment to transform a face.
While October is certainly the boom time and the store is staffed seven days with extra help, the rest of the year the store is open five days a week and can be a boon for traditional parties like Mardi Gras or St. Patrick’s Day. The store doesn’t offer rental costumes, with the exception of Santa Claus or Easter Bunny outfits.
The Costume Shop is so focused on the customer experience it will work to please even the most discerning costume seeker or refer competitors. Why not start here the next time you want to pretend to be someone else?