An old bank safe could hold the perfect costume
Sharon Brooks scours thrift stores, yard sales and estate sales to find the vintage costumes that line the rooms of her shop in the old bank building on Company Street. With the hats, gowns, shoes, capes, suits, vests, bejeweled chains and purses she gleans from her forays, she helps her customers put together the quintessential Halloween attire for any occasion. From Victorian debutante to the Mad Hatter and every costume in between, she is a fervent collector and an intense fashionista.
“This is my passion,” Brooks said.
Brooks moved to Wetumpka when she was 9 years old. She started her store with consignment clothing in 2009 and found a niche in formal gowns for proms and weddings. As her inventory grew, she collected the costume items, which she rents and sells all year long for themed birthday parties, theatrical productions and costumed events.
Three years ago, Brooks added a boutique with new clothing lines, high fashion items for high school and college football games and choice accessories that make the outfit for any occasion. And now, her store also includes gift items, works by local artists and custom embroidery, active wear and casual all-day clothing.
“In the future, I want to expand into the lake area with boat toys and swim lines,” she said.
Her husband, Lanny, helps Brooks with the frequent build-out changes she implements to keep the store displays fresh. Twin sister Karen Franks helps Brooks find many of the gems in her costume rooms, such as the props that include feathered fans for the flapper costumes; teacups to go with the Victorian lace dresses and gloves; and scepters for the Halloween royalty.
Along with the vintage costumes, Brooks has an extensive inventory of classic Halloween costumes.
“These are the real deal Halloween, not department store variety,” she explained.
And she will even help customers complete the look with glitter makeup, fussy hair and authentic-looking props without emptying her customers’ wallets.
“I try to keep prices low,” she explained, “to keep them around what the average working person could afford.”
She now offers custom embroidery on clothing and soft gift items, and her boutique includes a plus-size section. She also has a one-chair salon in which she can provide hair, nail and waxing services for her customers.
Brooks has carried the vintage vibe throughout the store with display furnishings, as well as merchandise. Her fitting rooms are made from old doors, and she keeps the vintage wedding gowns in the old bank vault.
“We can special order gowns if we have measurements to size. It usually takes about three weeks for them to come in,” she said.
Her unique inventory attracts a wide customer base, and Brooks has repeat customers from as far away as Selma and Greenville.
But starting Nov. 1, her customers will find The Vault Variety Shop in a new location. Brooks is moving to 117 E. Bridge St. next month.
“There is a beautiful hidden courtyard at the new location, and I will be able to offer my customers an event venue,” she said. The new store won’t need a new name, she said, because inside the building, there is an old safe, which she plans to style into her growing hometown business.
