Retail Roundup

Catherine Eberhard

Halloween is just around the corner and two Huntington Beach

businesses are going out of their way to carry a large selection of

costumes at the lowest prices.

During the month of October, Moore’s Dancewear on Beach Boulevard is

all decked out for Halloween. Though it still will carry dance shoes and

clothing, the majority of the store is filled with fun and ghoulish

costumes for kids and adults.

In business for the past 18 years, Moore’s is an established name in

dancewear and costumes. The manager of the Huntington Beach store, Cathy

Young, told me that patriotic costumes have been the trend this year.

“We have a complete Statue of Liberty costume that includes a mask. We

also have a policeman and a policewoman costume,” Young said.

Moore’s carries Halloween costumes for men, women, children and

toddlers. It also has a wide selection of masks, makeup, wigs and hats.

Couples costumes include Romeo and Juliet, Anthony and Cleopatra and even

President Bush and the first lady. Children’s costumes at Moore’s are

plentiful and your child can dress up as just about anything from Snow

White to a Ninja Commando.

Young told me that scary and gruesome Halloween costumes are on the

decline this year, and they’ve been selling more of the cute and

lighthearted costumes. The hottest costume for little girls right now is

a cheerleading outfit.

The best thing, according to Young, about shopping at Moore’s for your

Halloween costume is the attention to detail and the great customer

service you will receive.

“We are on hand to help each customer with whatever needs they may

have. We can help you search for a particular costume and help dress you

up,” she said.

Moore’s Dancewear is at 16773 Beach Blvd., between Heil and Edinger

avenues. For information, call (714) 841-2635.

Another place to shop this year for your Halloween costume is Party

City, on Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue.

Party City is easy to spot from a distance because there is a giant

inflatable pumpkin on the top of the store. The store is advertising

itself as a “Halloween Costume Warehouse” and it offers up to 75% off of

the retail price on selected costumes for kids and adults.

At Party City there are two large aisles with pictures of more than

500 different types of Halloween costumes to choose from. Once you have

made your decision, one of the several Party City employees, who are all

dressed up in costume themselves, will retrieve your selection and

desired size from the back warehouse. Dressing rooms have been set up so

you can try on your Halloween costume to make sure it fits and is what

you want before purchasing.

Infant and toddler costumes include Superman, Barney and Teletubbies

outfits. The kids selection is huge and there are several categories like

action heroes, princesses, Barbie and witch costumes. The teens and

adults section includes costumes like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, several

characters from Saturday Night Live and Go-Go Dancers, among others.

The average price for most costumes at Party City is around $20, but

some have been marked down to as low as $9.99. Each week, a different set

of Halloween costumes goes on clearance and you can find some great

deals.

The back aisle of Party City is filled with masks, wigs, shoes and

other accessories to make your costume complete. It even has Halloween

costumes to fit your dog or cat, if you want to get your pet in the

festive mood.

Home Halloween decorations are on sale at Party City and you can get a

bag of spider webbing for only 49 cents, while supplies last. There is a

large supply of Halloween candy as well.

Party City is at 16100 Beach Blvd. For information, call (714)

375-5383.

* CATHERINE EBERHARD is a Huntington Beach resident and her column

focuses on local businesses. If you have items for Retail Roundup, e-mail

them to RetailRoundup@aol.com or fax to (714) 965-7174.