Community Corner
Costumes of Nashua: Get Your Freak (or Zombie, or Elvis) On
This unique costume shop is open year-round. If you can't find it here, it doesn't exist.
Costumes of Nashua is a fascinating business.
For one thing, it's not in Nashua; it's in Hudson. Also, there is not storefront, so if you're looking for it you have to know that it's actually around the back of 102 Plaza.
And once you find Costumes of Nashua, you aren't quite sure what it is you're walking into – the entrance is marked with an small sign leading into a gray building with a long, winding hallway.
But then you find it, a hidden treasure trove of costumes – and not just the packaged kind that you can find at department stores, although they have those, too.
What makes Costumes of Nashua unique is the inventory of high-end costumes – 25-30,000 in their rental inventory, not including hats, shoes, make-up, wigs, accessories and so much more.
"We're just a step down from Broadway quality," says owner David Oelerich, who established the shop in 1986 in Nashua and retained the name after moving to Hudson.
"I always had a passion for musicals, and so this was a business I just started out of my basement. I was looking for a business niche that was unique," said Oelerich, who reinvented himself as a costume empresario after leaving his job in the high tech industry.
He quickly outgrew his basement space and moved into a 1,500-square-foot space on Canal Street in Nashua. But as his business grew, he found he needed even more space, so he moved six years ago to the spacious 15,000-square-foot "hidden" warehouse on Route 102 in Hudson.
"Nobody else wants a space like this, but we made it into something special," Oelerich said. "Right now we're bursting at the seams, but we stay because the rent here is hard to beat."
In addition to Oelerich, staff includes store manager Pat Handyside, Michael Curtiss, who handles all things online, including eBay and Amazon sales, customer service specialist Beth Schwartz, costumer Shirley Nadeau and seamstress Joan Vick.
As for costume trends, Oelerich has seen it all.
"This year, Pan Am flight attendants are flying out the door," he said.
"And the Psy Gangnam style costumes are far and away our most popular," said Handyside. "We carry both adult and children's sizes in all the bright colors – and the comedian sidekick costume."
Among the more surprising "hot" costumes this season: Prince, specifically, the crush velvet suit he wears in Purple Rain.
"Anything '80s, really," said Nadeau. "And this looks just like what he wears in the movie, 'Purple Rain.' It's perfect."
People are not just renting '80s looks, they're buying them, Handyside said.
There are racks upon racks of costumes that range from old Hollywood to New Wave and everything in between – Mozart, Marie Antoinette, Rhett and Scarlett, Steam Punk, medieval garb, cartoon characters, mascots, super heroes, theme weddings, corporate events, all available in a range of sizes, including plus sizes. Really, the list is endless. In fact, Oelerich says there's not a request he can't field, and if he doesn't have it, he'll find it – or figure it out.
>CLICK ON ACCOMPANYING VIDEO FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR OF COSTUMES OF NASHUA<
"It's a very fun job. You never know when you answer the phone, what kind of request you'll be getting, from England to Australia," Handyside said.
They were busy this particular day working on a costume for a customer who called from Florida looking for help completing a "Dr. Zaius" costume, from "Planet of the Apes."
"It's for a contest. He'd already bought himself an ape Latex appliance. He sent us pictures so we can see what he needs, because I had no idea who Dr. Zaius was, until I saw the picture," Handyside said.
Although Halloween is certainly a busy time, Oelerich says their bread-and-butter is outfitting theater companies from around the country.
"Right now 10 of our Elvis costumes are starring in a production at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, 'Honeymoon in Vegas," Oelerich said. "Tony Danza is starring in it, and they hope to make it to Broadway."
They've also filled requests from Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, NBC TV, movie producers – because their selection is one of the most eclectic and vast available, Oelerich says.
"Oh, and we have Duck Dynasty," Nadeau said, coaxing Curtiss to model the men's XL version of the camouflage gear worn by on the popular A&E TV series about a family in the duck-call business.
Once Curtiss pulls a beard and dons a hat, he falls under the influence of the costume and lapses into a Southern twang, transformed into a convincing Duck Dynasty guy.
Oelerich said that the cost of one of his more elaborate costumes can add up, but money does not seem to be an object for those who want to achieve the perfect look, from people within the CosPlay and Larping communities, to Flying Elvis' with their sights set on Broadway.
"We do a huge Santa costume business – year round. And let me tell you, Santa does not think twice about dropping $1,000 to look authentic. We've had Santas from Ohio, Michigan – and they start earlier and earlier, doing summer check-ups on kids," Oelerich said.
"We do all the spooky stuff, which is great, but also we've done 300 Blue Man Group costumes in a week. Like I said, you never know when you come in to work what's going to happen," Handyside said.
"And," adds Oelerich,"we've never met anybody we couldn't fit."
___
Costumes of Nashua has extended hours through the "costume season" and will be open every day through the end of October.
Mon - 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tues - Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fri - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sun - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Depending on the volume of customers, we may stay open past the posted closing hours. Call 603 .882.5640 to verify that we are still open.
Costumes of Nashua
76R Derry St. (Route 102)
Hudson, NH 03051
603.882.5640
dressupnh@gmail.com
http://costumesofnashua.com
Like Costumes of Nashua on Facebook
For one thing, it's not in Nashua; it's in Hudson. Also, there is not storefront, so if you're looking for it you have to know that it's actually around the back of 102 Plaza.
And once you find Costumes of Nashua, you aren't quite sure what it is you're walking into – the entrance is marked with an small sign leading into a gray building with a long, winding hallway.
But then you find it, a hidden treasure trove of costumes – and not just the packaged kind that you can find at department stores, although they have those, too.
What makes Costumes of Nashua unique is the inventory of high-end costumes – 25-30,000 in their rental inventory, not including hats, shoes, make-up, wigs, accessories and so much more.
"We're just a step down from Broadway quality," says owner David Oelerich, who established the shop in 1986 in Nashua and retained the name after moving to Hudson.
"I always had a passion for musicals, and so this was a business I just started out of my basement. I was looking for a business niche that was unique," said Oelerich, who reinvented himself as a costume empresario after leaving his job in the high tech industry.
He quickly outgrew his basement space and moved into a 1,500-square-foot space on Canal Street in Nashua. But as his business grew, he found he needed even more space, so he moved six years ago to the spacious 15,000-square-foot "hidden" warehouse on Route 102 in Hudson.
"Nobody else wants a space like this, but we made it into something special," Oelerich said. "Right now we're bursting at the seams, but we stay because the rent here is hard to beat."
In addition to Oelerich, staff includes store manager Pat Handyside, Michael Curtiss, who handles all things online, including eBay and Amazon sales, customer service specialist Beth Schwartz, costumer Shirley Nadeau and seamstress Joan Vick.
As for costume trends, Oelerich has seen it all.
"This year, Pan Am flight attendants are flying out the door," he said.
"And the Psy Gangnam style costumes are far and away our most popular," said Handyside. "We carry both adult and children's sizes in all the bright colors – and the comedian sidekick costume."
Among the more surprising "hot" costumes this season: Prince, specifically, the crush velvet suit he wears in Purple Rain.
"Anything '80s, really," said Nadeau. "And this looks just like what he wears in the movie, 'Purple Rain.' It's perfect."
People are not just renting '80s looks, they're buying them, Handyside said.
There are racks upon racks of costumes that range from old Hollywood to New Wave and everything in between – Mozart, Marie Antoinette, Rhett and Scarlett, Steam Punk, medieval garb, cartoon characters, mascots, super heroes, theme weddings, corporate events, all available in a range of sizes, including plus sizes. Really, the list is endless. In fact, Oelerich says there's not a request he can't field, and if he doesn't have it, he'll find it – or figure it out.
>CLICK ON ACCOMPANYING VIDEO FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR OF COSTUMES OF NASHUA<
"It's a very fun job. You never know when you answer the phone, what kind of request you'll be getting, from England to Australia," Handyside said.
They were busy this particular day working on a costume for a customer who called from Florida looking for help completing a "Dr. Zaius" costume, from "Planet of the Apes."
"It's for a contest. He'd already bought himself an ape Latex appliance. He sent us pictures so we can see what he needs, because I had no idea who Dr. Zaius was, until I saw the picture," Handyside said.
Although Halloween is certainly a busy time, Oelerich says their bread-and-butter is outfitting theater companies from around the country.
"Right now 10 of our Elvis costumes are starring in a production at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, 'Honeymoon in Vegas," Oelerich said. "Tony Danza is starring in it, and they hope to make it to Broadway."
They've also filled requests from Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, NBC TV, movie producers – because their selection is one of the most eclectic and vast available, Oelerich says.
"Oh, and we have Duck Dynasty," Nadeau said, coaxing Curtiss to model the men's XL version of the camouflage gear worn by on the popular A&E TV series about a family in the duck-call business.
Once Curtiss pulls a beard and dons a hat, he falls under the influence of the costume and lapses into a Southern twang, transformed into a convincing Duck Dynasty guy.
Oelerich said that the cost of one of his more elaborate costumes can add up, but money does not seem to be an object for those who want to achieve the perfect look, from people within the CosPlay and Larping communities, to Flying Elvis' with their sights set on Broadway.
"We do a huge Santa costume business – year round. And let me tell you, Santa does not think twice about dropping $1,000 to look authentic. We've had Santas from Ohio, Michigan – and they start earlier and earlier, doing summer check-ups on kids," Oelerich said.
"We do all the spooky stuff, which is great, but also we've done 300 Blue Man Group costumes in a week. Like I said, you never know when you come in to work what's going to happen," Handyside said.
"And," adds Oelerich,"we've never met anybody we couldn't fit."
___
Costumes of Nashua has extended hours through the "costume season" and will be open every day through the end of October.
Mon - 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tues - Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fri - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sat - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sun - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Depending on the volume of customers, we may stay open past the posted closing hours. Call 603 .882.5640 to verify that we are still open.
Costumes of Nashua
76R Derry St. (Route 102)
Hudson, NH 03051
603.882.5640
dressupnh@gmail.com
http://costumesofnashua.com
Like Costumes of Nashua on Facebook
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