BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Jennifer and Eric Keller have been in the costuming business for over 30 years. They started their shop, Fantasy Frocks, in the front room of their house and soon found themselves owning this ceiling to floor costuming shop.
"I still just enjoy what I do," said Keller. "I remember hearing someone say if you love what you do, you don’t even have to work," said Keller.
Fantasy Frocks has wall-to-wall costumes not only for purchase but for rental as well.
Keller shares that there are over 10,000 costumes in the shop and doesn’t plan to retire until she has found the right person to pass her dream to.
"I can’t ever retire unless I find someone who will service my community, we costume schools in the area and I want someone who cares about each production," said Keller.
Keller adds that Halloween is one of the busiest times for her and shares that '90's themed outfits are making a comeback and the movie "IT" is still a customers favorite.
"Usually things have to be 30 years old for people to think its fun and so the '90s is new," Keller said. "And current events affected costuming this year. That current event affected it [costuming] the most and it was Felicity Huffman in a jailbird costume for the college cheating scandal."
Keller attributes her ability to maintain her shop by evolving with the changes and needs of the community.
"I believe if we did not do all the rental that we do for theater schools, and churches we wouldn’t have made it being open all year-round," Keller said.
Catherine Williamson has been coming to Fantasy Frocks for nearly twenty years. She says that she will continue to shop here because of the magical experience of Jennifer.
"She’s talented, she has a great eye and she can look at you and see what’s going to fit you," Williamson said. "Like I said she’s going to give really personalized attention and you are going to be taken care of and they are going to feel like family in here and leave happy."
