It took Vickie Friesen more than 30 years of sewing to create 5,000 different costumes – everything from pirates to princesses..Now, after a year of COVID-19 lockdowns, she is being forced to sell the lot..Friesen and her husband, Darrell can no longer afford to keep their Three Hills Tickle Trunk outlet open and the business running after income vanished after lockdowns banned everything from school plays to Halloween.. Screen-Shot-2021-05-06-at-12.21.42-PMSome of Vickie’s creations .“We just can’t afford to stay in business. There’s no theatre, there’s no parades, there’s no parties,” Vicki told the Western Standard on Thursday..“In 2019, we were busy every week of the year with rentals. 2019 was booming. It was fabulous..“Once word of our business got around, we started having the same customers repeated over and over. I started to ask customers to ask me what costumes we didn’t have, it was just easier..“Now, nothing.”.Vicki recalled she sent out costumes for shows last March, but after the lockdowns, the costumes were returned and customers wanted their money back..“Everything came back. I sat by the phone, but it didn’t ring anymore,” said Vicki.. Screen-Shot-2021-05-06-at-12.28.05-PMRoman centurion outfit .“Fifteen months later, there is no coming back.”.The couple has made the heartbreaking decision they will have to sell all the costumes. A sale will be held at the store the next two Saturdays. A deal to sell their building should be signed next week..All kid’s costumes will be sold for $10. Adult merchandise is 50% off, between $25 and $50 at their Three Hills store at 519 Main Street..Need a storm trooper outfit? It will be there along with full ball gowns, Second World War uniforms and German lederhosen. Antique furniture is also on sale..“They are all going for a song,” Vicki said, regret in her voice..But some of the stuff they aren’t parting with includes all their Christmas outfits. The couple created a costumed “Christmas Convoy” through the town last year, and plan on repeating it, all over the province if asked.. Screen-Shot-2021-05-06-at-11.37.29-AMMr. and Mrs. Claus… really the Frieses .The couple did receive some federal COVID-19 aide which went to fixing a leak in the building, but not enough to even cover basic utilities..Vickie proudly boast she has shipped her costumes all over the province: “From High Level to High Prairie.”.She started sewing as a kid in Manitoba, creating costumes for theatre troupes and school plays. She also handmade graduation dresses for area high schoolers..She stored her works of art in a 12×12 granary but it soon became full..The Friesens and their two young children decided to move to Alberta and they set up shop in Three Hills, eventually buying a building in which to operate their business and store their dresses..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
It took Vickie Friesen more than 30 years of sewing to create 5,000 different costumes – everything from pirates to princesses..Now, after a year of COVID-19 lockdowns, she is being forced to sell the lot..Friesen and her husband, Darrell can no longer afford to keep their Three Hills Tickle Trunk outlet open and the business running after income vanished after lockdowns banned everything from school plays to Halloween.. Screen-Shot-2021-05-06-at-12.21.42-PMSome of Vickie’s creations .“We just can’t afford to stay in business. There’s no theatre, there’s no parades, there’s no parties,” Vicki told the Western Standard on Thursday..“In 2019, we were busy every week of the year with rentals. 2019 was booming. It was fabulous..“Once word of our business got around, we started having the same customers repeated over and over. I started to ask customers to ask me what costumes we didn’t have, it was just easier..“Now, nothing.”.Vicki recalled she sent out costumes for shows last March, but after the lockdowns, the costumes were returned and customers wanted their money back..“Everything came back. I sat by the phone, but it didn’t ring anymore,” said Vicki.. Screen-Shot-2021-05-06-at-12.28.05-PMRoman centurion outfit .“Fifteen months later, there is no coming back.”.The couple has made the heartbreaking decision they will have to sell all the costumes. A sale will be held at the store the next two Saturdays. A deal to sell their building should be signed next week..All kid’s costumes will be sold for $10. Adult merchandise is 50% off, between $25 and $50 at their Three Hills store at 519 Main Street..Need a storm trooper outfit? It will be there along with full ball gowns, Second World War uniforms and German lederhosen. Antique furniture is also on sale..“They are all going for a song,” Vicki said, regret in her voice..But some of the stuff they aren’t parting with includes all their Christmas outfits. The couple created a costumed “Christmas Convoy” through the town last year, and plan on repeating it, all over the province if asked.. Screen-Shot-2021-05-06-at-11.37.29-AMMr. and Mrs. Claus… really the Frieses .The couple did receive some federal COVID-19 aide which went to fixing a leak in the building, but not enough to even cover basic utilities..Vickie proudly boast she has shipped her costumes all over the province: “From High Level to High Prairie.”.She started sewing as a kid in Manitoba, creating costumes for theatre troupes and school plays. She also handmade graduation dresses for area high schoolers..She stored her works of art in a 12×12 granary but it soon became full..The Friesens and their two young children decided to move to Alberta and they set up shop in Three Hills, eventually buying a building in which to operate their business and store their dresses..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
