in Southold has been nicknamed "Halloween Headquarters" for many years but this year, owner Michael Liegey has seen business slow down in this crucial week before Halloween.
"October started out promising but the last weeks have been really slow," Liegey said.
The store has sold a variety of different costumes for adults with no particular theme standing out. He said the store has plenty of Lady Gaga, Charlie Sheen, and Jersey Shore costumes available. Accessories with a 60s theme such as peace signs and afros, are selling well too.
The store's costume basement has rows of costumes, accessories, and make up for ghouls and goblins of all sizes. There are wigs, feather boas, sickles, fangs, and hooded robes in stock.
Liegey also rents costumes from the store. He said they offer rentals based on Renaissance kings, the Three Muskateers, clowns, and even flappers.
For children, no real "fads" were reported. Liegey said they sold a couple of Harry Potter costumers and a lot of vampire and witch costumes.
"It was supposed to be the year of the super hero," he said.
A bright spot in the business has been Halloween decorations. He said sales were fairly good with customers buying a variety of animatronic pieces. The store still has Halloween lighting, skeletons, bats, rats, tombstones, dead bodies, and fog machines available for purchase.
Liegey says, with only a few days left, he has plenty of costumes, rentals, and decorations available.
Ye Olde Party Shoppe will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The store will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, Halloween.
