You remember every costume you ever wore for Halloween – the super hero, the policeman, the princess, the pirate, the cat. If you are from Rochester, New York, or lived there anytime in the last fifty years, chances are you got your Halloween costume from Arlene’s Costumes. Arlene’s was founded in 1956 when Arlene Stephens and her mother Mildred “Molly” Stephens ran Arlene’s out of a small store o
n East Main Street in Rochester. Arlene and Molly saw children in the neighborhood wearing garbage bags on Halloween and decided to start making costumes for kids. In 1975, Arlene’s Costumes moved to its long-time home at 1156 Culver Road. Rentals such as overhead parade outfits and vintage period costumes were the main attraction at that time. As business grew, retail became more and more popular. In 1982, Arlene’s opened a new one-of-a-kind 500 sq. ft retail store front in addition to its already impressive rental space. Over the years, Arlene’s outgrew that space opening seasonal locations in Western New York area shopping malls and plazas. Bursting at the seams, Arlene’s moved to its current 10,000 sq.ft showroom on Portland Avenue in Rochester, NY in 2003. This beautiful facility offers traditional Halloween costumes for children and adults as well as makeup, accessories, and novelties to meet all of your theatrical, business, school, and of course Halloween needs. Arlene and her professional staff are focused on assisting you in making your theater production, special event or Halloween party unforgettable.
