Chicago Leaders Launch Free Halloween Costume Store to Help Families Celebrate Without the Cost (Chicago, ILP) — Halloween is supposed to be a time for children to dress up, collect candy and enjoy a little make-believe. But for families already struggling with household expenses, the cost of a costume can make the holiday another financial burden.
A group of Chicago elected officials, political candidates and community activists is working to change that by turning gently used Halloween costumes into an opportunity for families across the city.
The group is launching the “Boo-tique,” a free Halloween costume store that will open Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MyBuddy’s, located at 4416 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.
Unlike a traditional costume shop, the Boo-tique will not have price tags. Families will be able to select costumes at no charge, and there will be no registration, income verification or paperwork required to participate.
Organizers say the goal is simple: make Halloween more affordable while bringing neighbors together to help one another.
The initiative comes as families continue to navigate the rising costs of everyday necessities. With some Halloween costumes costing $50 to $75 or more, purchasing an outfit that a child might wear only once can be difficult to justify.
At the same time, countless costumes from previous Halloweens sit unused in closets, storage bins and basements, often outgrown long before they have a chance to be worn again.
The Boo-tique aims to give those costumes a second life.
The effort brings together several North Side political and community figures, including Demi Palecek, Democratic nominee for Illinois’ 13th House District; Daniel Biss, Democratic nominee for the 9th Congressional District; 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez; and Kat Abughazaleh, founder of the mutual aid organization KAPOW.
For Palecek, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to community assistance and mutual aid, an approach that emphasizes neighbors directly helping neighbors rather than requiring people to navigate complicated systems to receive support.
“A rising tide lifts all boats. If we can help take expenses off a family’s plate, we are going to do it. No questions asked,” Palecek said in announcing the initiative. “Billionaires are taking everything, so we wanted to find a way to help the kids be kids.”
Palecek, a former U.S. Air Force member and current National Guard member who also serves as president of the 46th Ward Democrats, has incorporated community assistance efforts into her political organizing.
The Halloween initiative extends that work by addressing a smaller but familiar financial pressure facing families with children.
Organizers are also emphasizing that the free store is open to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances. There is no requirement to demonstrate financial need, and families do not have to donate a costume to receive one.
That approach, according to the organizers, is intended to preserve dignity while encouraging wider community participation.
Five Locations Accepting Costume Donations Through October 17
To stock the Boo-tique, organizers are collecting gently used Halloween costumes and accessories at five locations across Chicago’s North Side through Saturday, October 17.
Donations are welcome in all sizes, from infants through adults. Organizers prefer that costumes be washed before donation and are also accepting wigs, shoes and other costume accessories.
Residents can drop off donations at the following locations:
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KAPOW Office: 7016 N. Clark St. Donations accepted Wednesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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49th Ward Democratic Office: 1505 W. Morse Ave. Donations accepted Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m.
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46th Ward Democratic Office: 4802 N. Broadway, Suite 200. Donations accepted Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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40th Ward Aldermanic Office: 5620 N. Western Ave. Donations accepted during regular office hours.
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MyBuddy’s: 4416 N. Clark St. Donations accepted during regular business hours.
The collection effort involves political organizations, a local aldermanic office, community activists and a neighborhood business, bringing multiple groups together around an effort that extends beyond electoral politics.
The organizers hope residents will look through their closets and consider donating costumes that their children have outgrown or no longer use.
Even a single donated costume could help another family avoid an expense this Halloween.
Making Halloween Accessible to Every Family
While Halloween is often associated with candy, decorations and haunted houses, dressing up remains one of the holiday’s most recognizable traditions for children.
For younger children especially, choosing a costume can be as memorable as trick-or-treating itself. Whether they want to be a superhero, a princess, a favorite television character or something entirely imagined, the opportunity to participate can be an important part of the celebration.
The Boo-tique is designed to make that experience available without adding to a family’s expenses.
The initiative also reflects a growing interest in community-based reuse programs, where clothing and other household items are redistributed rather than discarded. In addition to reducing costs, costume exchanges can extend the life of clothing and keep reusable materials out of the waste stream.
Organizers say they want the October 24 event to feel less like a traditional assistance program and more like a neighborhood shopping experience where families can browse costumes and prepare for Halloween together.
With the donation deadline approaching, residents have until October 17 to contribute costumes and accessories.
The free store will open one week later, giving families time to find their Halloween outfits before the holiday arrives.
The Boo-tique will take place Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MyBuddy’s, 4416 N. Clark St., Chicago. Admission and costumes are free, and no advance registration is required.
For more information about the initiative, residents can contact organizers at info@demiforillinois.com.
Chicago Leaders Launch Free Halloween Costume Store to Help Families Celebrate Without the Cost
