Thrift or Treat
Local shoppers search for the perfect Halloween costume and find thrift stores offer a ghoulish bargain

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

Independent graphic artist Gabriel Penaloza is outfitted as a pirate for Halloween from local thrift stores for just $11. It took just a few hours of browsing to complete the perfect look at a fraction of the price of an adult-size costume from a department store. [Photo illustration by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

GALLUP — A witch, a princess, Spiderman, or a vampire?

The Independent shopped at local thrift stores this Halloween season to find an inexpensive costume comparable to those at popular retail stores.

After several stops and much scouring, employees pulled together a unique, yet inexpensive costume using second hand clothing. We visited local thrift stores including Goodwill, Catholic Charities, the RMCHCS Vandenbosch store and My Sister’s House Resale Shop to pull together the pirate look ( a pair of boots cost $2!!).

The adult costume cost roughly $11 compared to popular retail stores that can range from $10 for the most simple, children’s costumes to $40 for the more complex attire, including masks; however, in all honesty, the accessories were purchased at Walgreens because they were nowhere to be found at second hand stores.

If you have time and patience, thrift stores can be the way to go. And in some instances, the cash went toward a charitable cause, which is an extra bonus.

Most customers at the visited thrift shops were there to buy prepackaged costumes at a low price, but the availability of those costumes lessen as the holiday approaches, staff said.

The popular retail stores have more Halloween merchandise, but at more of an expense.

Dana Pino, an associate manager for Walgreens, said the store has been slammed this holiday season with customers anxious to purchase the latest and greatest in Halloween merchandise. Popular costumes include the Burger King mascot and the hooded Scream character. Costumes are available for young children through adults.

The store is also equipped with body paint, glitter and accessories such as swords, skeleton gloves and fairy wings. Costumes for pets are also available.

“We have a little bit of everything,” Pino said.

And for last-minute shoppers, the business is open 24 hours and will be handing out candy the night of Oct. 31.
Big Lots is another location where shoppers can find an array of merchandise, including decorations and costumes.

Select costumes and decorations are currently 25 percent off, store manager Marilyn Russell said. She said feather boas are one of the most popular accessories for girls. But as of midweek, the store was sold out of adult costumes.

“As it gets closer and closer, last-minute shoppers will rush in,” Russell said.

Local artist Robin Lasiloo is making his own costume out of paper maché and semi-rubber material.

He plans to use the paper maché for the mask’s foundation and the rubber material to form teeth to go inside the mask. He will wear a gesture hat and a stripped outfit with overalls to complete his look.

Lasiloo created the character for a program developed for troubled youth and decided to bring the witch/gesture to life this Halloween. In previous years, he’s made his own elf and werewolf costumes.

He said the project is relatively inexpensive and has taken a few day’s time.

“It’s a lot cheaper to make your own,” Lasiloo said.