San Antonio Costume Shops Prepare to Close doors After Decades in Business
San Antonio is poised to lose three long-standing costume shops – North Star Mall, Gibson Costume Shop, and Atlantis Discovered – as owners cite changing consumer habits, increased competition, and rising costs. The closures mark the end of an era for businesses that have collectively outfitted generations of San Antonians for Halloween, theatrical productions, and themed events.
Gibson Costume Shop, operating near the Witte Museum for nearly 100 years, and North Star Mall, opened 12 years ago by a military veteran, are among those preparing to shutter. The owners attribute the decisions to a shift in shopping preferences toward online retailers and seasonal pop-up stores,coupled with the financial strain of tariffs and increasing operational expenses.
Lynn Saunders, owner of North Star Mall, explained the impact of tariffs: “We did not expect it. Our distributors tried to compensate.So they raised the pricing. So they didn’t honor what we purchased (in January). They raised the pricing and they added 20% of the tariffs. So we got hit with 20% and the distributor got hit with the 20%. So it’s the double.”
Sandra Torres, General Manager of Gibson Costume Shop, said the fifth generation of owners decided to close while the business is thriving. “They’ve been hanging on for a long time.And now it’s time. It’s run its course. And there’s not too manny businesses in San Antonio that can say we’ve lasted almost 100 years,” Torres stated.
Atlantis Discovered owner, Tijerina, is open to selling the business but plans to begin liquidation by the end of the year if a buyer isn’t found.
North Star Mall will have a 50% off sale the day after Halloween, with all items needing to be sold by October 31st. Gibson Costume Shop is currently liquidating its inventory of over 100,000 costumes and will continue sales through the end of the year.
