Jacob & Kimberly Cowger, owners of Balloons, Etc & The Costume Emporium (420 2nd Ave SE Downtown Cedar Rapids) announce that the Costume side of their business is closing. In addition to all rental costumes now being for sale, nearly all other inventory will be discounted in an Inventory Liquidation Sale. Originally The Cowgers had hoped to keep the Costume Shop open, and just sell off the rental costumes, but with the continued staffing issues they have decided to close this part of the business.
Inventory Liquidation is going on now with a 20% Off Sale. Discounts will increase leading up to Halloween. Items included in the Inventory Liquidation Sale are: Costume Accessories, Wigs, Hats, Masks, Packaged Costumes, Theatrical and Special Effects Make-up, Tights, Boas, Tutus, Weapon props, and Halloween Decorations. All rental costumes remain for sale with prices as marked, no further discount will apply. Items NOT included in the Liquidation sale are: all Balloons, Face Paint, Concession supplies, and a few other exclusions. See store for details.
The Cowgers plan to continue operating as Balloons, Etc offering balloon bouquets, balloon deliveries, balloon decorating, and balloon twisting entertainment. Balloons have always been their true passion, but having so many different areas added with The Costume Emporium, just spread their focus too thin. This has been a hard decision to make, as they have enjoyed providing costumes to the Cedar Rapids community over the past 12 years.
Customers are encouraged to stop in to shop before The Costume Emporium side of the business closes. Specific types of items will be on sale for 50% off during random Pop-up Sales—watch the Balloons, Etc & The Costume Emporium Facebook page for the announcement of these sales.
About Balloons, Etc & The Costume Emporium
Balloons, Etc opened as a Balloon Shop in 2004 on Center Point Road NE. This location was flooded in 2008 but rebuilt and reopened until moving Downtown in 2011. Wanting to keep a costume shop as part of the Cedar Rapids Community, costumes were added and the business became Balloons, Etc & The Costume Emporium. Owners Jacob and Kimberly Cowger perform as Sparkles and Sprinkles The Clowns as well as Professional Balloon Twisters known as the Balloon Buffoons.