Magic Makers to Close

   Surprising news today as the long-time Huntington business known as Magic Makers announced it would soon be going out of business.

   The company (which is to say, Ken Epperly and Ken Fox) has provided costumes, props and other theatre services across the country for decades now, and has been especially generous with its expertise with area theatre groups.

   Their company has always been impressive, with a huge shop with acres of costumes from all time periods.

   It's almost impossible to put on a local show without renting some costumes or buying some props from the store - and they've always worked overtime to provide those hard-to-find items.

   For example, when First Stage produced Les Miserables: School Edition, there was a particular costume jacket that Magic Makers, surprisingly, didn't have in stock - so they made one for the show.

   Certainly everyone is entitled to retire after a long and distinguished career of service - but we're sad to see them go!

   You can read more about it in this story in today's Herald-Dispatch - here's an excerpt:

 The shop that has sold everything from standard green witch makeup to realistic Abraham Lincoln costumes year-round is ready to close its doors after more than 35 years. 

Magic Makers, 545 4th Ave., is in the process of obtaining a license to have its going-out-of-business sale. Ken Epperly, who owns the business with partner Ken Fox, said they expect to start the sale next week. They are closed all this week to prepare.
Epperly said declining sales, the multitude of seasonal Halloween shops and the Internet have all attributed to Magic Makers' slow descent.