Under the watchful eyes of Picasso, the orange-winged Amazon parrot perched in his cage (lined, of course, with last week’s Review), customers try on capes and masks at bustling Ed’s Broadway Gift and Costume shop in downtown Lake Orion.
Picasso has seen it every Halloween season for the eleven years Ed’s has been open. Even at midday, the store, located on the corner of Flint and Broadway in the heart of downtown, is thronged with people looking for that perfect costume to wear to a party or for passing out candy.
‘This time of year, I’m always here,? said owner, Lloyd Coe. ‘It helps keep me young.?
And from Superman to a pirate, they probably have the costume you want in their stock, which includes items custom-made by Lloyd’s wife, Kathy.
‘You name it, we probably have it,? she said. ‘You can tell the difference between a package costume and the real thing. We’ve made so many weird things over the years. We go out of our way to get people what they need.?
The most popular costume this spooky season, which happens to coincide with a big presidential election?
‘We’re sold out of McCain masks. The Sarah Palin glasses are also selling good,? said Llyod.
For kids, Indiana Jones and Joker get-ups are hot. But no matter what you find there, Lloyd said it’s of the best quality.
‘We’re real careful about the masks we get,? he said. ‘All the stuff we buy, we make sure the faces look good.?
Lloyd and Kathy also run an advertising company. They started the costume shop eleven years ago. Llyod, who had a background in retail, wanted to cater to the festive spirit of the holidays.
‘I love the Halloween and Christmas seasons,? he said.
While the bell over Ed’s door won’t stop ringing until Halloween is over, just what does a costume shop do after Oct. 31?
Well, according to the Coes, Ed’s is much more than just a place to gear-up for Halloween. Throughout the year, they rent costumes to a vasy array of local theater companies all over the Detroit metro area.
Another holiday around the corner is also on their radar.
‘We’re trying to make more of a statement at Christmas,? Lloyd said.
This includes not only Santa suit rentals, but also a more eleborate store display and more decorations for sale. This holiday season, Lloyd said the infamous ‘leg lamp? made popular in the movie, A Christmas Story, will be available.
Kathy said while some people go to the Internet to shop, people will get better costumes, and better service, if they come to Ed’s.
‘It’s very important for people to shop local,? she said.