About Us
Our History
Costume World began in October, 1986 as a small costume rental shop with an inventory of only 15 costumes and a few masks. It was opened that first Halloween in a small room in Rainbow Trades, which is an antique, furniture, and gift shop.
In October, 1987 the shop was moved to the huge upstairs in Rainbow Trades and inventory was increased to 75 costumes. Rentals included both adult and children's costumes, and a small selection of accessories.
By 1988 Costume World began renting costumes year around including holiday's such as Easter and Christmas, and in 1989 it started its retail sales department. A full size coffin at the top of the stairs was added to create a Halloween atmosphere.
The business was expanded yearly, and by 1992 the costume rental inventory was increased to 500 costumes. In 1994 the shop joined the National Costumers Association (NCA), and the owner has attended four conventions, full of education in all aspects of costuming. She attends a trade show yearly to keep up with the new trends in costuming.
In August 1999, this web site began, and it has been viewed by over 57,000 people. Eventually we will include photos of all of our costume rentals, but for now we have a few photos linked to the Rental Costumes page. We opened our Online Store on April 18th, 2001.
In 2003, we expanded the costume rental shop to twice its previous size and increased our inventory of retail items, especially wigs. Our old rental room became the Costume Pickups Room at Halloween and a showroom for used or vintage hats, dresses, suits, and pre-rented costumes for sale.
Costume World has been featured many times on Bill Landing's "Interesting Individuals" show on Channel 99, our local cable station. Professional model, Toni Simmons, and Kelly Lawson, the previous Miss Duneland, have done a wonderful job modeling our costumes for the shows. On May 12, 2001, Betsy Bobel, Miss Indiana 2000, was featured on a show with Bill and she looked fabulous modeling our costumes as well.
Costume World has come a long way since its first Halloween in 1986. Today we offer over 1,000 rental costumes, and a large selection of sales items including the popular Leg Avenue costumes. We have Monsters Inc. character props of Sulley and Mike in the shop that children love to see. We even have a billboard on Highway 20, (facing west) near the hotel before Highway 421 every September - October. Every year we participate in the Michigan City Yuletide Splendor Christmas parade. Our float features Mrs. Santa Claus and her character friends. Ryan's Irish Pub rents our characters for their annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, and in 2009 we began renting characters for the annual Blossomtime Parade in Michigan. In 2008 we had a couple characters in the Michigan City Summer Parade, and in 2009 we will have characters in it as well.
