Lakewood Goodwill Adds Costume Artist to Assist Halloween Shoppers

Goodwills across the state are spooking their customers out with an earlier push for inexpensive Halloween customes with customized twist.

A costume artist greets shoppers looking for a one-of-a-kind outfit at the . The costume designer uses a binder containing different ensembles and accessories, identifies what the shopper is looking for then quickly finds it in their expanded Boo-Teek department.

Aside from the customized Halloween costumes, Goodwill has the ability to use clothes to mix and match, creating a one-of-a-kind ensemble. You can shop for your favorite costume that includes witches, pirates, super heroes, hippies, renaissance harlequins and more.

Costumes range between $5-$15. A feature wall was set up before Labor Day to get people thinking about an inexpensive Halloween outfit.

Goodwill launched its Boo-Teek special areas in its 28 stores from Tacoma to Longview and Port Angeles to Yakima. Stores were packed full of costuming items before Labor Day and added its creative custom twist to its holiday shopping.

Jessica Ide, Goodwill employee, dresssed up as Batwoman as she checked out customers. Workers have the option of dressing up and getting into the spirit of Halloween, said said Frank Quintana, store manager.

"We've never done this before," Quintana said about having costume artists availabe for shoppers. "They also have the option of choosing from new or donated costumes."

Personal costume helpers are available during these times of the day:

Oct. 21 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m.

Oct. 22 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m

Oct. 23 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30-6 p.m.

Oct. 27— 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m.

Oct. 28 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m.

Oct. 29 — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m

Oct. 30 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30-6 p.m.

Oct. 31 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30-6 p.m.

Here are a couple nearby places in Lakewood if you're looking for a different place to shop for a Halloween costume.

Walmart has a fairly good selection to choose from. I found an Ironman, Batman, Spiderman and Star Wars boy costumes for $19. For the girls, I saw an enchanted princess and women of Marvel costumes for the same price. There were a few accessories but not to the extent of Goodwill.

Adult-sized costumes cost $29.

Target had the largest selection of costumes. I spotted a costume cowboy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Thor and Captain America for about $20. They also had plenty of costumes for girls.