Costume Capers in SLO to close after 30 years

Costume Capers, a costume shop located near downtown San Luis Obispo, is closing its doors after 30 years in business.

Co-owners Keith Wetzel and Debi Hernandez decided to close the store after years of financial struggle amid trends such as one-month big-box holiday stores, the loss of the San Luis Obispo Mardi Gras Festival and Internet shopping.

Costume Capers, at 2146 Parker St., has set a closing date of Nov. 1. A closing sale begins Thursday; all costumes and retail items will start at 30 percent off.

The business has been a longtime supporter of San Luis Obispo County's theater community and has outfitted more than 300 local productions.

Costume Capers is asking the community to help with fundraising to give costumes to local schools and theater groups.

“We hate to see the store go,” Hernandez said. “But it’s our goal to keep these costumes on the Central Coast for use by local theater productions in the future.”

This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 9:42 AM with the headline "Costume Capers in SLO to close after 30 years."