Wigs, makeup, costumes and accessories at Evangeline’s Costume Mansion in Old Sacramento were notably absent last fall during the Halloween season.
The store, which opened in 1974 and expanded in 2000, suffered significant water and smoke damage to the gift shop on the first floor from a fire that broke out in the basement. Minimal damage was done on the second and third floors of the mansion, where the costumes are sold.
Now, nearly a year later, the costume shop announced a grand reopening for June 27 and June 28, 2026.
“We just really look forward to seeing our customers,” said Rachel Immel, the store’s manager. “Welcoming them back to our store, hearing their stories, their perspective of what it was like to hear the news of our loss and us being able to just kind of welcome them back with warm arms.”
The store plans to reveal special surprises during the reopening, according to Senior Buyer Terri Burge.
“We have a few tricks up our sleeve. We can’t reveal that yet, but we are just so excited to see our customers again, and hope they have a wonderful experience,” Burge said. “Coming back to Evangeline’s, this store is kind of an icon of Sacramento. It’s been here since 1974. I shopped here as a teenager. Now I work here. My daughter sometimes comes to work with me, so it’s just a whole family affair.”
The fire at the costume shop took place in June 2025. Immel said the first was small, but the shop didn’t anticipate the water and smoke damage that “wreaked havoc” in the basement. She said the second and third floors took minimal damage.
“We were very lucky. The ventilation systems were all separate. All the doors were shut, so there was no smoke damage upstairs,” Burge said. “However, we did do a thorough deep cleaning. We removed every single thing from the costume store… the floors have been redone, the walls have been repainted. Everything is squeaky clean up here.”
The second and third floors will be open for business during and following the grand re-opening, while the first floor is still under construction. The reopening of the first floor is to be determined, according to Immel.
First floor of Evangeline’s under construction nearly a year after a fire on March 24, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Burge said she misses the customers and guests who visit the shop.
“We can’t wait to see you. All of our staff is looking forward to seeing you,” Burge said. “We’re just so happy to be a part of Sacramento. We think this is just an important little slice of Sacramento history. Evangeline’s and Evangeline’s Costume Mansion.
Despite the fire, the community and surrounding businesses showed strong support. Immel said their biggest support was right next door at McGee’s Old Time Photos because the owner helped collect mail from carriers, so it didn’t get undelivered.
Shari Coomes is the owner of McGee’s Old Time Photos and said she’s excited for the return of Evangeline’s.
“I can’t wait,” Coomes said. “It’s the best store down here, and it does bring a lot of traffic.”
Coomes was “surprised” and “shocked” by the news of the fire that happened at the costume store, but is optimistic it will return stronger than ever.
For Mohammed Hameed, owner of A Million Sunglasses, he said he misses the family vibe the costume store brought to Old Sacramento.
Hameed said that, with the Evangeline’s being closed due to the fire, they didn’t see a decrease in customers, but there was a notable decrease in foot traffic in the area.
“Evangeline’s, I liked them personally a lot, because growing up, it was always a fun place to walk into and check out a cool knick knack or whatever,” he said. “Being a business owner, it’s really nice having a neighbor that’s been here forever. Not a lot of shops have been here forever and a half.”
Hameed said if the world doesn’t end before the reopening, it would be great to see the costume shop’s doors open again.
“It should be interesting to see how the crowd kind of comes back around if that’s on the cards.”
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