Another Seattle landmark to be replaced by ‘progress’

SEATTLE — Another Seattle landmark will soon be replaced by “progress” on June 20.

Display & Costume, with its eye-catching disco ball and sign, is closing its Northgate location on Roosevelt Way Northeast after 36 years.

You may have discovered the store during a search for Halloween costumes but returned when you needed decorations for your tiki-themed barbecue or someone’s 40th birthday party.

Whatever the occasion, you could find something for it in the store and have a lot of fun doing it.

The company began in 1952 as Display and Costume Supply, when it was founded in a Seattle basement at Westlake and Denny by husband and wife Tyler and Merry Kaune.

As the company grew, it moved to Second Avenue and Bell Street, where it became a resource not only for Seafair float builders, but for dancers, actors, retail displays and more.

According to company president Margaret McGowan, in the late 1960s, the company added thousands of Halloween costumes, wigs, hats and fabrics as well as a huge selection of props, balloons, displays, lights and novelty supplies for every holiday and event.

When Merry and Tyler retired, daughter Susan and her husband Dallas Carleton, continued to grow the business. They moved it to its Roosevelt Way location in 1985.

In the 90s, stores opened in Everett and Issaquah. The Everett store closed in 2017, but the Issaquah store remains open under new management.

Susan and Dallas’ daughter, Margaret McGowan, became the 3rd generation to operate the business.

McGowan says some employees have worked for the company for more than 25 years and some customers have been shopping there for decades.

The family is now planning to retire, and the store is having a closing sale with most items at least 50% off.

McGowan said the 1952 building will be demolished. A 5-story residential building with retail and parking is proposed for the space.

Cox Media Group