When people usually talk about costume shops, they think of Halloween and decorations. But what do the people that work there go through? What is it like to work in this type of establishment?
Twin Cities Magic and Costume is located in downtown St. Paul. The usual age requirement for working at the shop is 18, but they also hire around seasonal times — at the end of September for help in October during the Halloween season. Last fall, three 16-year-olds worked there.
Jim Berg is stocking up on Republican paraphernalia this summer.
Working in a costume shop, you see all kinds of people who come in to get merchandise. “All kinds of people do come here,” said the manager, Jim Berg. “Everybody comes, and we have over 15, 000 different types of wigs. The most interesting thing about this shop is the fun people.” Right now, the shop is stocking political merchandise in anticipation of the September Republican National Convention in St. Paul and the presidential election in November. You can buy Republican or Democratic hats or sunglasses, masks of famous political figures, even a furry elephant costume.
When you work at one of these shops, you have to be creative, fun, like people and have fun ideas. Some of the different areas of specialties are in make-up, costumes, special effects, and magic. “This isn’t just some regular old costume shop,” he explained. “We have diversity.” There’s a theater on the second floor for magic shows and classes. And a small museum of magic is under construction.
The uniform for the job is only during Halloween when workers have T-shirts or can dress in costumes. Students get paid based on experience. The magic and costume shop moved to a new location at 250 E. 7th St. in St. Paul last year. Check it out on-line at http://www.twincitiesmagic.com/
Post new comment