SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
It was the go-to destination for theater companies, high school drama clubs, and anyone who wanted to dress up in character.
But, after more than two generations, a Sioux City institution, is closing down. Diane Widner, the owner of Dowry Costumes, took over the shop from her mother and sister more than 30 years ago.
"We have a lot of vintage items that we've made into costumes, we had a seamstress on hand, and she's fabulous, she's made a lot of things throughout the year, we would go to a national Halloween show every year in March, that we'd meet thousands of vendors that made things specifically for this industry," Diane Widner said.
But, now she's calling it quits. She says online shopping, and discount stores have made it hard to keep the business afloat.
"It's really kind of a struggle to stay open year round when it's not as busy as Halloween, if we had two months like this during the year, rather than just one, it'd probably make it a little easier," Widner said.
Of course, the camaraderie and friendships she's built with the community over the years has made it even harder to close shop.
"There's just some theater people who come here so often, that go, I'm going to the back Diane, and I'd say go for it. We're all having a good time with it, but it is nostalgic and we're thinking back on the all the years we've had and the seasons we've had," Widner said.
She's not the only one feeling nostalgic, long time shoppers say, they're already disappointed they won't be able to come back next year. Ron Foxhoven is the drama director at South Sioux City High School. He's been shopping at the Dowry for nearly 15 years.
"It's meant a lot to us and to the community, community theater, and other places that have used it as a resource and so it's sorta hard to let it go," Ron Foxhoven said.
Michele Molstad says shopping at the Dowry was an annual tradition for her family.
"We've been coming here for many years, put our costumes together and making our own, and we've always come up with some really creative things and we're kinda bummed that this is gonna be gone," said Molstad of Sioux City.
The store's last day of operation is November 24th, and that mean's everything in the store must go, even high end costumes which that were made for stage production. That's why Widner says, now is the time to come to the store and get a good deal.
"Let's just say for instance this rack probably rented from $35 to $75 and most people are getting them at that price or less now to purchase," Widner said.
For the costumes that don't sell, Widner plans to sell them at auction or on E-bay.
A snowman costume head is among the thousands of pieces being sold as the Dowry Costume Shop makes plans to close.
