Back in 1962, Dorothy McCulloch opened the first McCulloch's store on Dundas Street in London. Dorothy, a dance instructor, was frustrated by the lack of dance apparel suppliers in the London area so she decided to open a store of her own. Specializing in dance clothing, accessories and shoes, McCulloch's Dancewear was born. At the time, Dorothy and her husband Jack were performing in a barbershop quartet, with Jack also fronting the popular group the Sweet Adelines. The groups required costumes for live performance, and so Jack and Dorothy would make them. People began borrowing the costumes and Jack and Dorothy would have to launder and repair them when they were returned. So the pair began renting their costumes for a nominal fee and soon a small, successful costume rental shop was in business!

Today, some 47 years later, McCulloch's is known as THE costume hot spot in town. Still a family run business, the shop was purchased from Dorothy and Jack back in 1989 by their son Doug McCulloch and is currently run by Doug and his wife Rose. Now operating as two distinct stores; McCulloch's Costumes which specializes in frightening makeup, costumes and accessories and McCulloch's Dancewear, which supplies dancers with clothing and shoe's for everything from ballet to clogging!

True Londoners know where to shop at Halloween, not at the mall where every costume is the same and made out of flimsy plastic, but at McCulloch's! Enter the store at any time of the year and you'll be amazed at the amount of terrifying, disgusting, fantastic merchandise that surrounds you.

Looking for packaged costumes for a last minute party? You'll find classic favourites along with sexy original outfits for a memorable night out.

Got a creative idea, but not sure how to put it together? The staff at McCulloch's are the costume experts! They'll help you pull together unique costumes with accessories around the store.

Planning a Halloween themed party? Pick up one of their blood-smeared shower curtains for a creepy effect. Specializing in rare items that you won't find elsewhere, their horror section features bloodied body parts, created with disturbing accuracy to gross-out your guests.

The store also sells classic gag items like stink bombs, fake vomit and sneeze powder making it the perfect stop for April Fool's Day. This is probably the only place in town where you can actually purchase a fart flavoured lollipop too, so enjoy!

McCulloch's isn't just for Halloween items though. If you're searching for decorations for a themed party, you'll need to stop by McCulloch's for fantastic decorations. Coconut bras, piñatas and a limbo bar could make your Luau party complete!

Don't forget McCulloch's when planning your best friend's birthday or bachelorette party this year either! Embarrassing sexy toys and activities should keep your night interesting.

McCulloch's still runs an impressive costume rental section, now expanded into a full-out masquerade phenomenon. Any character, time period or historical event you're hoping to capture can probably be furnished in their rental section.

If you hope to rent a costume this year, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to make your selection and reserve your outfit early; especially if you need it on Halloween night! Rentals costs average around $35, and every rental requires a $50 refundable deposit.

With a regular staff of eleven employees (up to 24 at Halloween!), McCulloch's offers service and attention you simply cannot get at the mall.

Extended hours for Halloween begin after Thanksgiving, check out their website www.mccullochs.on.ca for details or drop by store at 1140 Dundas Street London or phone 519-453-5069.