The owner of Sukies Party Emporium – a fancy dress costume and hire shop based in in Stamford, UK – has thanked customers as she retires from the party industry after 23 years.
The shop – which first opened in 1997 – will be closing down later this year as owner Christine Bradshaw has decided it’s time to move on to pastures new.
“There are lots of reasons we are closing down,” said Christine. “One of them is because I am retiring!”
But Sukies won’t be gone completely, as in response to the changing fancy dress market, the accessories side of the business will be moving to the Corn Exchange Cafe from 1 February.
“There are a lot of things that people want on a regular basis like wigs and make-up, which will be moved there,” says Christine. “What people are looking for in costumes is getting more and more challenging.”
At its peak, Christine estimated that the shop stocked up to 5,000 costumes, admitting that the change will be ‘sad in a lot of ways’.
“I’d like to thank everyone in Stamford and the surrounding areas,” she added. “A lot of people have more fun trying things on in the shop than they have at their party! We’ve brought a lot of fun and enjoyment and I think that we’ll be missed.”
