National Costumers Association

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year from the National Costumers Association! 🎭
Thank you for shopping and supporting local costume stores across the United States. Your support keeps creativity alive in communities nationwide.
Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful 2026 for us all! ✨🎆

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving National Costumers Association! 🧡🤎

11/18/2025

Hello NCA members! Join us at 3 pm Central for the NCA Zoom Happy Hour. We'll talk about your experience with Halloween 2025, and the results of the NCA Halloween survey as well as other topics.

You should have received a link in an email from the NCA. If you are a member and did not get the email, please let us know so that we can get you one.

We will see you this afternoon!

11/11/2025

"With gratitude for those who bravely defended our nation."

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! 🖤 🧡

07/26/2025

The NCA extends its deepest condolences to the family of Cindra Lou Sinopoli.
On July 24th, 2025 Cindra (Cindy) Lou Sinopoli passed away suddenly. She is survived by her mother, Donna, her husband, Victor, her sister Dawn, her five children Lara (Ron), Victor Jr. (Mary), Terry (Vinny), Peter, and Sharmeer (Lateafa). In addition she’s survived by her grandchildren Anthony (Cassy), Skylar, Mollie, and Matthew, and lastly her great grandson, Carter. Cindy is remembered for her loving and caring soul. She was always there to welcome everyone with open arms. She was always willing to listen and give advice, even if it wasn’t always wanted.

With her family she was always forgiving and willing to lend a helping hand. Cindy was always so proud of her family and everything they did. At family events she was always seen front and center. Some of her hobbies included traveling, baking, cooking, camping, crafting, and just living life to the fullest. Her family will miss her funny sense of humor and heartfelt words. Cindy will be missed endlessly by all who know her.

07/22/2025

06/30/2025

Only 123 more days until ! I imagine Sam and Art would be very good friends. I’m sure they would have a crazy fun time trick-or-treating together.
🎃🎃🎃🎃
📷: unknown artist, dm for credit.

06/26/2025

The NCA extends its deepest condolences to the family of Arlene Stephens, owner of long-time NCA member company Arlene’s Costumes in Rochester, NY, who passed away on June 24, 2025. Stephens’ great niece, Terry Sinopoli, is the current president of the NCA. Below we share a press release from Arlene’s Costumes about Stephens’ passing:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arlene’s Costumes owner Arlene Stephens on June 24, 2025.

Arlene founded the Next to New Shop in 1956 with her mother, Mildred “Molly” Stephens, out of a small store on 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. That, of course, was just the beginning and the business soon became Arlene’s Costumes.

Arlene was known for her fun spunky attitude and style. She has been called the “Queen of Halloween” by those who loved her and many in her industry. A statement on her website invites customers in to play and have fun.” Fun is our business. Fun is our brand. Fun is the instant thought that pops into your mind when you hear about us. No matter if you are looking for something specific or just have a little extra time in your day, come into Arlene’s and play, play, play! “

A respected leader and visionary, Arlene worked side by side with her sister, Donna White, since the early 1980’s. Together with Donna’s daughters, Cindy Sinopoli and Dawn Larsen, and Cindy’s daughter Terry Sinopoli, Arlene has run this successful family-owned and operated business in Rochester, NY for 69 years. Arlene’s Costumes will continue to bring Halloween, theater and other costume fun year-round as the family continues Arlene’s mission to make everything more fun!

She was a long-time member of the National Costumers Association. Her family will continue to own and operate the business, which includes a showroom located at 1225 Portland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14621, and a successful online business.

Outside of work, Arlene loved to read, go to the theater, and travel. She had been all over the world throughout her 90 years. She visited many countries including Fiji, Australia, nearly every country in Europe, several in Africa and South America. She had been on many cruises as well. She loved traveling with her family, especially her sister and business partner, Donna.

Calling hours are scheduled for Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 2-5 PM at Falvo Funeral Home, 1395 N. Goodman St., Rochester, NY 14609. Entombment will be at White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to UR Medicine Hospice Care in her memory. https://falvofuneralhome.com/tribute/details/5550/Arlene-Stephens/obituary.html -start

05/26/2025

All gave some. Some gave all. Remember and honor. 🇺🇸

04/20/2025

Happy Easter!

04/15/2025

"Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Carol Easley she will be greatly missed”

We wanted to share the information about a former member’s passing with the NCA and those who knew her.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 19th, from 1-4pm at Aunt Chiladas Squaw Peak. 7330 N Dreamy Draw Drive .

———————————————————————————

Carol Marie Easley, née Mettille, 85, passed away peacefully at her home in Phoenix on April 12, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Carol was born in Des Moines Iowa in 1939, to Joe and Ina Mettille. In the 1950's she took her dancing skills to New York and for 2 years, traveled the country as a Rockette. When her family moved to Phoenix, Carol joined them in 1959, and went to work for a fledgling radio station owned by Tom Chauncey, which later became KOOL FM. Her next job was working at Del Web as an executive assistant, and she later joined IMPCO, an industrial metals company. A few years after her marriage to the late Herb Easley in 1973, Carol joined Herb's family magic and novelties business, Bert Easley's Fun Shop. Carol's business skills, with the assistance of their daughter, Debbie Easley, enabled the Easley's to grow their business into one of the largest costume shops in the U.S.

In December 2018, after 72 years of business, increasing competition and pressure from on-line retailers, the family made the decision to close their doors. A source of pride for Carol, who always lived with integrity, was that they carefully planned their closing and paid the bill of every single vendor, rather than going bankrupt and damaging the business of others, as so many struggling businesses had done.

Through the years Carol and Herb enjoyed being members of the Phoenix Jaycees, NCA (National Costumer's Association), and supporting many charities in the area. They even hosted a nationwide NCA conference here in Phoenix.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Debbie Easley Cortez (Mike), and Dr. Leslie Easley (Michael Anderson).

Her grandchildren include Ashley Butler (Ty), Samantha Herrera (Luis), and London Dominguez. Preceeding her in death is granddaughter, Lucy Dominguez.

Her great-grandchildren include Ashton Butler, Aubrey Herrera, and Xenny Herrera.

She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Owens and her brother Richard Mettille (Sandy). She was preceded in death by her brothers Chuck Mettille (Ginny), John Joseph Mettille (Shirley), and Gary Mettille (Barbara).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to ACBVI, Infinity Hospice, or the charity of your choice.