SAM BOYER/SPECIAL TO SUN NEWSLauren Jorski dons a boa and hat as she stands among the costumes for sale at the shop. Tweet 0 Comments If you need one of those “oh my gosh” moments, then you must step into Cleveland Costume & Display at 18489 Pearl Road, Strongsville.

It’s a huge building filled to the brim with costumes both retail and rental. And, manager Maria Costa and Lauren Jorski must have photographic memories because they can locate a specific outfit in no time.

Considering that the business has been a Cleveland area staple for more than 100 years, it’s no wonder that professional companies and individuals alike come here to shop.

The shop opened in the old Arcade in Cleveland and was there until 1946 when Erwin Davison bought it and moved to Carnegie and Ontario. He also made all sorts of specialty items including items like Barnaby’s ears, Costa said. He also helped form the National Costumers Association. He bought out another costume company and thrived until his death in 1994. Jim and Terry Ondrejuak purchased it and when the Gateway project displaced them, moved to Strongsville.

Lauren handles the retail side – basically the front of the store. Here’s where there are lots of kid and adult costumes, wigs, masks and accessories such as makeup and glasses can be found. All the most popular character costumes are here and, they note, all displayed in a family friendly way. All the scary and more adult items are places high on shelves so little ones won’t be frightened. Prices range from $19 to $35 for kids’ costumes and $19 to $100 for adults.

Best thing? It’s open all year long, so when you’re shopping for a special party or occasion you can come in and find whatever you need. If you’d like to deck yourself out like Lady Gaga or be a super hero, it’s no problem to find what you need from head to toe. Or if you would like to attend a party as the entire Flintstone family, be assured, all the costumes are here.

SAM BOYERMaria Costa among the huge display of Renaissance costumes available for rent. “We don’t just burst into town for Halloween, take the money and leave,” Costa said. “It’s surprising how many people are surprised we are open all the time.”

In fact, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday throughout the year. In October, however, they are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The rental portion of the business takes up the majority of space both in the showroom and in storage. Professional theaters, entertainment venues, sports teams, photographers, and schools are among regular customers of the store.

“Lots of community theaters, churches and schools come to us for their costumes,” Costa said. She is a professional costumer, a graduate of Virginia Marti and was the costumer for a professional ballet company and taught at East Carolina University before coming to Cleveland Costume.

How many costumes? “Thousands,” she said as she showed the back room filled with seasonal items like hundreds of Santa Claus suits, Easter bunny outfits and heads (vintage and cute, not like many newer ones) and mascot outfits.

“You know if a child has to portray Abraham Lincoln or Clara Barton and it’s January, where can you find a costume?” Costa said. The answer is clear. Right here.

Every era, every occasion is covered and if it’s not here, they can usually find it for you.

You can also visit clevelandcostume.com to see the retail offerings and call (440) 846-9292 if you need more information.

If you know a local small business that should be featured in Shop Around, contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com.samboyersunnews@yahoo.com.

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