A happy place for top costumes

FEW women are applying for some of the highest-paying jobs in New Zealand. Applications from more than 72,000 job listings on Trade Me from April to June showed just 16 per cent of applicants for engineering jobs were from women and 20 per cent of IT jobs. Wellington ratepayers look set to fork out millions to help cover the $20 million cost of improving the tired infrastructure at Shelly Bay. Transport and Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges says businesses feeling the brunt of the closure of the Manawatu Gorge are unlikely to get the economic relief package they’re calling out for.

IF YOU want to be happy in your work, an established Wellington costume company could be the perfect fit.

The Costume Company, at 214 Willis St, is for sale on the open market for the first time since 2001.

Theatrical identity Joan Dawe opened it on Ghuznee St in 1991 and ran the business for 10 years. It relocated to Willis St in 2009 and changed hands for only the third time in 2011, when retiring owners Russell and Maggie Freeman bought the company to run with their daughter, Gemma.

‘‘Our branding phrase is ‘Wellington’s Happy Place’, which we promote on our Facebook page and Internet site,’’ Russell says.

The business hires costumes and accessories to the public, corporates, event companies, government agencies and departments, conferences, theatre performances, movie shoots and advertising agencies.

Additionally, accessories, such as wigs and hats, are sold from a display within the 175-square-metre ground-floor premises.

‘‘Everyday costume hires are the bread-and-butter of our turnover,’’ Russell says.

Complementing these are seasonal events including Christmas, Halloween, Oktoberfest, conventions, St Patrick’s Day, school balls and sports and Napier Art Deco week.

Russell says the business is easy to run with few operating costs and friendly hours, has a lease with two car parks, with prospects for growth.

‘‘There are two other costume hire businesses in Wellington and two in Lower Hutt. Our established business branding and location offer an opportunity for children’s costumes and Internet costume and accessory sales.

‘‘They were going to be the next stage of our business plan.’’

Russell says while the Internet is starting to account for more Internet sales, ‘‘the hire of quality costumes will always be the core of the business and will for the foreseeable future be the main value of the business.’’

He says most of the company’s 4200 costumes and garments are irreplaceable. Gemma Freeman with two of the many costumes available at the Costume Company.

‘‘Superheroes and the like are sourced from America.

‘‘Many are custom-made unique creations and designs to suit various themes and events.’’

The business trades from 10am6pm weeknights (and till 7pm Thursdays), and from 10am-3pm Saturdays.

‘‘It’s essentially a 46-hour working week for an owner with part-time help,’’ Russell says.

‘‘This is a turnkey business that’s fully operational with extensive marketing in place and an established customer base.’’ Photos: JOHN NICHOLSON/FAIRFAX NZ

It would suit an owner-operator with a flair for the creative, who has an outgoing personality, and who is up for a challenge.’’

For more information, contact Russell Freeman on 021 507 945 or at:

info@costumecompany.co.nz