The employees of Fringe and Tassel are (From left) Paul Pearson, Phyllis Spahn and Ward Lewis.
Photo: Andrew Lamberson, NewsNetNebraska
Sandra Hernandez Frantz, co-owner of Drac's Place, 601 Calvert Street, said that although she has noticed consistent sales from year to year, especially on the store's Web site, she thinks people will be frugal this October.
She's probably right. The National Retail Federation estimates that people will spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween this year, down more than $10 - or 15 percent - from last year's $66.54.
To see what the Lincoln costume store owners have to say click here.
For the costume rental shop Fringe and Tassel, 735 O St., sales were down slightly last year compared to years past, said owner Phyllis Spahn. While Spahn said it is a little too early to predict this year's revenue, she expects people to be conservative with their money during the tough economic times.
Both shops are offering specials to entice Halloween enthusiasts.
Drac's Place is offering 50 percent off all children's costumes, student discounts and free fishnet stockings with any women's costume, said Hernandez Frantz, who, with her husband, Darik Von Loh, have owned and operated the shop for the past three years. She's hoping the extra incentive will pay dividends.
"Every year you hope to grow a little bit," she said.
Fringe and Tassel is offering an "early bat" special, where customers who reserve their costumes before Oct. 18 will receive a price reduction on the second night's rentals. Paul Pearson, who has worked at the shop for more than 10 years, said the early registration gives renters a chance to save money by using the costumes for two nights in a row at a lower price.
More customers have made early purchases and rentals this year, Pearson said. He thinks early purchases show that people are spending money differently to budget more effectively.
Spooky statistics show pricing options for renting and buying Halloween gear
Graphic: Nate Kelly, NewsNetNebraska
Despite whether customers want to rent or buy costumes, the owners of the shops want them to spend locally - and they're helping each other in that respect . Shopping locally guarantees excellent customer service, said Von Loh, Drac's co-owner. Going the extra mile means helping customers find what they are looking for, even if it means looking at other stores.
Right next to the phone at Drac's Place is a sticky note with Fringe and Tassel's telephone number. Von Loh and Hernandez Frantz said they try to help any way they can because they would rather see customers spend their money at local stores than at a franchise store.
"I want to see people find their stuff and have fun on Halloween," Von Loh said. "If not here, then supporting other local businesses."
Dan Wooden of Lincoln browses the selection of masks and wigs at Fringe and Tassel, 735 'O' St., in the Haymarket. Wooden said he lives in the Haymarket and Fringe and Tassel is "The easiest location to go to."
Photo: Andrew Lamberson, NewsNetNebraska
Von Loh has the right idea. Customer service is very important to people like Maggie Spencer, a junior advertising major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Spencer grew up in Yankton, S.D., where, she said, supporting the local economy is a huge deal. She tries to buy locally, and thinks customer service has a huge impact on her choices.
"I want someone who will be honest with you and make suggestions, someone who doesn't just want your money," Spencer said.
Sales and student discounts also help Spencer decide where to buy her costumes. Even with the gloomy economy, she thinks spending money on Halloween is important.
"You can pretend to be something else for a day," she said. "You can forget about all your school stuff and just dress up and have fun."
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