Audrey Perrett is a bit of a celebrity in her golden years of retirement.

Sitting comfortably in her room at Helen Henderson Retirement Lodge in October 2024, the 87-year-old talks with a smile about her popular store in Kingston called Audrey’s Costume House.

“I opened the shop in the 60’s,” says the friendly mother of five children (four surviving) with a twinkle in her eye. “When I arrived in Kingston from Montreal, the Kinsmen club asked me to alter the costumes for their musical fundraisers. I did that for a number of years. After the stage productions ended, I got to keep the costumes which I used to start the store. I enjoyed running it for about 20 years and then my son and daughter took it over in 1984 when my husband I moved to Whitby for his work.”

Originally located in downtown Kingston and then moved to the Woolen Mill, the store became a fixture in the city when it moved to Gardiner’s Road. After her children took over management, her daughter opened a similar same store in Ottawa which was also a success.

In addition to costumes, the store sold dancewear and Halloween items. For many locals, it was a city landmark full of magic and mystery. Halloween was a particularly busy time of year.

“A lot of people used to come into the store and be quite surprised at what was there,” Audrey says nostalgically. “The store had a lot of old costumes, including 15 Santa suits. My son even used the store’s costumes for his medieval wedding. It was different.”

Sadly, the store was one of many businesses that were shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic declared in Canada in March 2020.

“COVID shut it down; they lost the shop,” she says with a twinge of remorse about the stores’ closing in October 2023. “It’s a shame, but that’s life.”

In addition to the pandemic, Audrey also credits the arrival of short-term Halloween stores to the stores’ demise. “They come in and don’t give anything back to the community while undercutting other stores,” she says wisely.

After bringing so many happy memories to the community, it seems fitting that Audrey is comfortable in retirement. After her husband died, she moved to Roblin and lived with her son for several years. She moved to Helen Henderson Retirement Lodge in July of 2024, where she is living well, staying active and enjoying life.

“It’s great, I’ve met a lot of nice people, and all of the staff are amazing,” she attests. “I fill my time now by knitting, sewing and altering. I can’t complain. I keep busy doing one thing or another.”

Chuckling at the great memories from her time at Audrey’s Costume House, Audrey notes, “A lady here recently told me that she remembers renting a chicken suit from me, twice. I loved hearing that.”

Located in Amherstview, Helen Henderson Care Centre is grateful for the imagination and courage of Audrey Perrett for starting Audrey’s Costume House. To learn more about living or working here, please call 613-384-4585.