Costume rental shop with a fitting area
Open a small storefront or unit where customers try on and rent costumes for events, shows and parties.
- $15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
681 US businesses with employees in this field, -7.0% in a year
NAICS 532281 “Formal wear and costume rental”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small retail space with racks of costumes, accessories and a fitting room. You rent to walk-in customers, take group bookings, and supply local productions, and may add alterations or sales of accessories.
Your first three steps
- Research local demand and compare rents for small retail units near theaters, schools or busy shopping areas
- Build a starting inventory from wholesale suppliers, estate sales and your own sewing, and set up a rental tracking system
- Form an LLC, get an EIN, and check city and county requirements for a business license and sales tax registration
Who pays
Individuals and families, schools, community and regional theaters, film students, event planners and corporate groups running themed events.
How it makes money
Rental fees per costume or package, deposits, alteration fees, accessory sales, and bulk rates for productions and group events.
Skills that help
- Costume knowledge and styling
- Sewing and alterations
- Inventory and retail management
- Marketing to local groups
Watch out for
- Check your city or county business license, zoning and certificate of occupancy requirements for retail
- Check your state's sales tax rules for rentals and register with the state if required
- General liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire staff
- Lease commitments and rent are a major fixed cost, so negotiate terms carefully
- Strongly seasonal income around Halloween, so plan for slower months
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: costume rental shop with a fitting area
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a costume rental shop?
Startup costs are typically estimated around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your space, stock and fit-out. Rent and lease commitments are a major fixed cost, so negotiate terms carefully.
How much can a costume rental shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on location, stock and bookings. Income is strongly seasonal around Halloween, so plan for slower months.
What licenses and rules apply to a costume rental shop?
Check your city or county business license, zoning and certificate of occupancy requirements for retail. Also check your state's sales tax rules for rentals, and insurance, including workers' compensation once you hire staff.
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