Published Thursday, October 30, 2008

Shoplifters stealing Halloween costumes, merchants report

The Newnan Times-Herald

The Joker and other movie heroes and villains seem to be the most popular Halloween costumes this year, according to local costume shops and retail stores. But apparently not everyone can afford the costumes, and the joke seems to be on the shop owners.

Shoplifting has been a problem this year, said Keith Hinze, co-owner of The Costume Shop on Greenville Street.

"I'm sure it's economic, more than anything," said Hinze. "I try not to take it personally. But the bottom line is that we're still being ripped off."

The main culprit is actually teenage girls, he said. They seem to "skulk around" the store with armloads of merchandise, and then finally tuck it into a bag or purse and dart out when no one is looking. Hinze and co-owner Samantha McDaniel are asking their customers for help in deterring and catching the shoplifters.

"We've put a sign up to warn them about it," he said. The Costume Shop is just a "mom and pop" operation, he said, and can't really afford those kinds of losses.

Hinze and McDaniel said that -- perhaps ironically, considering the recent crime wave -- Batman and police officers have been popular costumes this year.

"Indiana Jones has also been very popular," Hinze said. "And for women, firemen and lady bugs and bumble bees have been popular."

Little boys want to be firemen and SWAT team members, Hinze said.

"For little girls it's been bumble bees and '50s stuff, like pink ladies jackets and poodle skirts," said Hinze.

For adults, the "sexy firefighter" seems to be going over well, and they've been moving "a lot of prisoner costumes."

"And for couples," said Hinze, "we've had a lot where she's dressed as a cop and he's dressed as a prisoner. We've really sold a lot more prisoners than we ever thought we would."

The Costume Shop is completely sold out of Obama rubber masks, he said.

Hinze said that there do seem to be fewer people coming in than last year. He said the economy, again, could be the culprit.

"But people do still spend money on their kids, and they're probably mostly skimping on stuff for themselves," he said. "Maybe they don't buy as many accessories and those types of things."

At Party City, on Newnan Crossing Bypass, "Star Wars" is still a "huge hit," according to Madonna Overton, receiving manager.

"I'd say for little boys and teenage boys, as well, 'Star Wars' is still big, with the 'Clone Wars' movie and everything," she said.

Iron Man and Spider Man are also big sellers with those groups, she said.

"For little girls, it's been Hannah Montana and the 'High School Musical' characters," she said. "There have also been a lot of bumble bees and candy corn witches."

She agrees with Hinze that the Joker is one of the year's biggest hits.

"For men, I'd say that's true," she said.

For couples, Barney and Betty Rubble are a hit, she said, as well as Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

"In the silly category, we have the male and female plug outlets," she said. "And Popeye and Olive Oyl. That seems to be going over well."

Tony Petch, manager of the Target store in the same shopping center, said that Halloween has "been very good for us," although it's now gearing down.

"Today candy seems to be very popular as people rush in to get their last-minute purchases," Petch said. "People are also buying last-minute decorations."

Target's costume collection has mostly been wiped out, but there are still some available -- and with many at reduced prices, he said.

"Iron Man and the Hulk have been favorites," Petch said. "Witches are always popular. And I'd say all the top movies seem to carry over into Halloween."

The day after Halloween the merchandise will be marked for clearance, he said.

"Typically we put items at half-off pretty quickly," he said. "That's pretty standard. We have to condense down and get ready for Christmas."

Hinze said that the Costume Shop will be participating in Trick or Treat on the Square today and will remain open "until 8 o'clock or until the last customer leaves the store."

"People will still be having parties on Saturday," he said. "So we expect to stay busy."