By Ed Avis
The COVID crisis dealt a blow to sales at Performance Studios in Antioch, Tennessee, just like at every other costume shop. But because much of the company's business has been based on events, and all of them have been cancelled, the situation is dire. Owners Ryan and T.K. Kelly have decided that having a large bricks-and-mortar presence just isn’t feasible for them anymore, so they’re taking their talents and enthusiasm in new directions.
The couple, who bought the business just over a year ago, will partially transition their sales to the internet. But rather than creating just one general web site, they’ll open several sites focused on specific areas.
“We’ll be building sites targeted to cosplay and drag, one for cosmetics, and one for designer clothing,” Ryan says.
In addition, once the COVID crisis subsides, the Kellys hope to travel to events and sell their products from a booth.
Before any of that happens, though, they need to sell much of their inventory. An auction service will start cataloging items on Monday, but NCA members are invited to purchase things in advance by contacting Ryan via email at ryan@performancestudiosnashville.com.
Here is a partial list of what’s available:
- Packaged Halloween costumes from Rubies, Forum, Dreamgirl and California Costumes
- Hats from Jacobson Hats and elope
- Capezios tights and dance shoes (these must be sold via bricks-and-mortar)
- Jewelry from Flashback and Freedom
- Squishy-head mascots from Rubies
- Weapons, such as wooden guns from Parris Toys
- Shoes from Funtasma
- Animal masks from Ghoulish and Forum
- Scary masks from Trick or Treat, Ghoulish and Zagone
- Various wigs
You can see more of their inventory on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/performancestudiosllc/
If you’re unable to purchase items before the auction company starts cataloging things on Monday, you can try to buy things later at the online auction. The date and URL of that auction is TBD.