MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A long time Midtown Memphis business well known for its costumes and Halloween apparel will be closing its doors for good.
Mr. Lincoln's Costume Shoppe owner Barry Lincoln explained to ABC24 why it's time to move on.
Customers who are accustomed to renting a costume at Lincoln's shop won't be seeing its owner run it any longer. Lincoln said the time has come to retire.
"I'm 77 years old, and I should've retired about 10 years ago, so we're finally getting around to retiring," Lincoln said.
Inside of Lincoln's business are unique masks and displays of costumes for different occasions and genres. His shop has become a one stop shop during the Halloween season for 33 years.
But Lincoln said he doesn't have the energy to continue running his business.
"I cannot do the job the way I used to. I'm slowing down," he said. "This business, especially at Halloween, you can't be slowing down, you've got to speed it up. So, I just felt like it was time to [retire]."
Lincoln's legacy expands beyond the four walls of his building. Annie Freres with Germantown Community Theater said his impact in the fine art community will be missed a great deal.
"We're really hoping to take up the mantel because we need that costume shop for sure," Freres said.
Freres said everyone in their industry understands and knows Mr. Lincoln is a staple.
"Literally our last show, we had to have very specific policeman hats, and we couldn't find them anywhere. Lo and behold, Mr. Lincoln was there for us," she said.
Lincoln told ABC24 what he'll miss the most is the people that walk in his store.
"They always come in when they're happy, and I hope to make them happy before they get out, keep them happy," Lincoln said.
According to Lincoln, he believes someone will buy his business before they close on Saturday.