“I ran over to a local fabric store, bought every Halloween item they had, and resold it all,’’ said Dionne.
Running a retail business takes trial and error. What’s an example of a learning experience?
At 3 in the morning, one of our managers got a call from police. A 12-foot inflatable pumpkin, a decoration on the roof of our Saugus store, managed to free itself and make its way across Route 1. Sounds like a B monster movie. We got a big fine for that one.
How do you get the store ready for Halloween?
Halloween preparations start as early as August. We compress and move the baby, wedding, and gift wrap sections to the back of the store. Halloween will take over the first one-third. When the customer walks into the store, they know we’re in the business of Halloween.
When does costume planning start?
I’ve already started previewing the first line of 2012 costume samples. In December, the major Halloween costume companies show their products in a major trade show. The whole industry is there, trying to decide what the big sellers will be, with final orders put in by February.
What’s the latest party that you personally have had?
I’m embarrassed to say that my big bang-up galas happened over 10 years ago - you know, those parties where you move the furniture out of a two-bedroom apartment and move in the bistro tables with umbrellas and hope for the best.
What do you plan to be this Halloween?
The last costume I made was called “flotsam and jetsam.’’ I took a fishnet and attached beer cans, flip-flops, and other assorted items you might find at the bottom of the ocean.
