Costume shop with a storefront

Local families, schools, community theaters, party hosts and adults dressing up for events and festivals.

Retail sales, rental fees and deposits, and bulk orders from schools and theater groups. Many shops also run a pop-up seasonal location for Halloween.

• Retail and stock management
• Customer service
• Basic sewing or alterations (helpful)
• Local marketing

• Local business license, zoning and signage rules, so check with your city or county
• General liability insurance and coverage for stock
• Rental items need cleaning, repair and tracking, and you need a clear damage and late-return policy
• Lease costs and seasonality: much of the income can come in a few months

Estimates typically put startup costs around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your lease, shop fit-out, and how much sale and rental stock you buy. Treat these as estimates and plan for seasonal swings.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on location, rentals and special orders. Much of the income can come in a few months, so plan for quieter periods.

Check your local business license, zoning and signage rules with your city or county. Look at general liability insurance and stock coverage, and set a clear damage and late-return policy for rentals. Review lease costs carefully before signing.