Gibson Costume Shop, the Broadway-area mainstay that has suited up San Antonio theater troupes, Fiesta parade regulars and generations of Halloween die-hards, is preparing for its final act. The family-owned shop will kick off liquidation sales in the first week of January, clearing out costumes, racks, furniture and sewing equipment. If inventory remains after the sell-off, the store is still set to close for good on Feb. 28, 2026.
The timeline has been confirmed, with liquidation starting in early January and the official closing date set for Feb. 28, 2026. "Everything must go — racks, furniture, sewing equipment — everything has got to go. The building has got to be empty," manager Sandra Torres said, according to KSAT.
A century of costumes
The shop’s own site notes that Gibson has been “In Business Since 1928,” showcasing year-round rentals, theatrical supplies and a sprawling collection of costumes to buy or rent. Its storefront at 111 Allensworth Street, just off Broadway, has long been a familiar stop for local productions and families hunting for standout looks, according to the Gibson Costume Shop website.
Why owners are closing
Managers point to a mix of modern headwinds: shoppers who increasingly buy online, seasonal competition from big-box chains and rising costs, including higher tariffs on imported goods. Those pressures were laid out earlier this fall when three longtime San Antonio costume shops first flagged their plans to close, per KSAT.
Sale details and where to shop
The store’s website lists regular business hours and a phone number for anyone wanting up-to-the-minute details on sale dates and what is left on the racks. Shoppers can call (210) 826-7811 for updates. The liquidation will run at the downtown location at 111 Allensworth Street, and customers are encouraged to check the Gibson Costume Shop site or call ahead to confirm hours and inventory before heading over.
End of an era
The shutdown is part of a broader shakeup among local costume sellers. Axios San Antonio reported that Gibson is one of three long-running costume shops in the city preparing to close their doors this year. For theater companies, collectors and Halloween fans, the January liquidation may be the last chance to wander the aisles of one of San Antonio’s most storied costume closets.
