Zeezo's is the Best Place to Get a Halloween Costume in Colorado Springs

People shopping for a Halloween costume in Colorado Springs this year can't help but think of Zeezos. After 25 years of living up to their motto "we only sell fun" Zeezo's is "the funnest place in town" to many residents according to Larry "Zeezo the Clown" Campbell, the store's founder (in a phone interview on 9-9-08). Larry owned 13 Zeezo's stores that spanned from Portland, OR to Cedar Rapids, IA. He is now retired and the Colorado Springs store is the last surviving outlet. Larry credits the survival of Zeezo's Magic Castle to manager Mark Modeer, who has been a part of Zeezo's since age 16. Larry believes that the other stores failed after he sold them because he "could sell a store, but I can't sell my love of people." Although Zeezo's originally sold magic supplies, it has since expanded to sell makeup, wigs, joke items and costumes.

Halloween at Zeezo's

"Because Halloween is on a Friday this year the event will peak on one day," Says manager Mark Modeer (in a phone interview 9-9-08) "we suggest customers shop early for their costumes" this year to avoid rushes and sellouts. "Halloweens on election years tend to be busier" says Mark, because more people want to relax from pressures. Zeezo's has political costumes as well, including "Uncle Sam hats with donkeys or elephants and McCain and Obama Masks." Mark says that "traditionally, the hottest selling candidate mask is the winner" of the election. After the opening of the new Batman movie, expect Super hero costumes to be big sellers. Mark also notes that "people are starting to turn away from the super revealing costumes that have been popular for the last few years" in favor of less revealing garb.

Costume Prices

Zeezo's tries to stay cost sensitive so most of their prices haven't changed, despite increases in shipping costs. Mark says the biggest exception is "fog juice". prices, which have increased almost 25%. Halloween shoppers can expect to find a complete line of masks, makeup, props and costumes for rent or purchase at Zeezo's. Economic issues have made other changes as well: more and more consumers are choosing to rent for the night, rather than purchase costumes. "Rentals are growing for us" Mark confirms, Zeezo's also rents costumes for the renaissance festival during the summer months. Zeezos is known for theatre makeup, they are "the largest theater makeup supplier in cities under a million (residents)" Mark reveals, "people drive down from Denver to shop for makeup" and to receive instruction on application from staff members. Larry taught staff to "never sell a child something thay can't do" when the store sold card tricks early on, and today's staff keep the same philosophy, free application instructions are taught with every makeup purchase.

Zeezo's Magic Castle is located in Downtown Colorado Springs at 3 East Bijou. They can be reached by phone for costume rentals and questions at (719)633-2571. Business hours are Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM to 7PM and Sundays 11AM to 5PM