Scary era comes to a melancholy end
JOLIET -- Tina Rich, owner of Josie O'Kain's costume shop, couldn't mask her emotions on Wednesday.
She said she's sad to be leaving Joliet and closing a shop that has served the area since the 1960s.
(Liz Wilkinson Allen/Staff Photographer)
"We're packing up," she said. "I'm going to miss the area."
Too many factors were working against the small, locally owned retail shop, she explained. The costume business is more competitive with mega-Halloween stores sprouting in empty commercial buildings and online sales booming.
Also, the recession hurt business as customers pulled back on holiday spending, she added.
"I don't think we made even half of what we made in some years," she said of this year's Halloween sales.
The store at 2419B W. Jefferson St. was open through Halloween, but then closed for good. Rich said she will spend the rest of this month packing. Customers who want to buy or rent something before then can still call the store for help, 815-741-9303.
"We're still here," she said. "If people are interested, they can give us a call and we'll open the doors for them."
While the storefront is closing, Rich said she will continue to work in the costume industry from a small house she is moving to near Danville. Customers can still order theatrical costumes, Dan Nye makeup or theatrical costumes through her Web site, www.josieokain.com . Because she still has family in the Joliet area, Rich said she will still deliver items, or they can be sent by mail.
Rich bought the shop in 2003 from Cathy Geiselman. Geiselman moved to the Danville area years ago and started another retail costume shop. But Rich said Geiselman, too, is closing her retail operation because of the economy.
The two women plan to work together to supply theatrical and madrigal groups and schools with costumes for plays and events. Rich said she also will still rent Santa and Easter Bunny outfits for businesses.
According to previous Herald-News stories, the store was started by Josie O'Kain, who first began making costumes before World War II for the old Boston Store in downtown Joliet. O'Kain eventually opened her own store, which she ran until 1979.
Rich, who has a fashion merchandising/design degree, said she feels she's returning to her roots and hopes to have time to design more theatrical costumes. And if the economy picks up and things turn around, "Maybe some time in the future we'll be able to expand again," she said.
