My Favorite Costume Greg Manger Costume Specialists Columbus, Ohio CostumeSpecialists.com
Established in 1983, Costume
Specialists in Columbus, Ohio, is the only
custom mascot character production com-
year they wanted to redesign
it,” Manger says. “We did the
original and we were able to
pany that manufactures both foam and
touch it again and bring it
inflatable costumes. The company makes
up to date with what we
many of the familiar icons and friends
do now as far as quality
your customers have seen in movies, tel-
and a new look.”
evision shows, amusement parks, chain
The new and
restaurants, children’s books, safety
improved
education events and more.
Boots wears
“We’ve made thousands and
a work-
thousands of mascots,” company
ing visor and
president and CEO Greg
clothing inspired
Manger says.
Some of the company’s recog-
nizable mascots include The Kool-
Aid Man, The Michelin Man, Curious George, and Paddington Bear.
The company also offers an extensive
range of services like mascot manage-
ment and a mascot spa to ensure mascots
are well taken care of long after the design is complete.
by the real equipment
While he and his team have designed
more mascots than he can count, one of his
favorites is Boots the Fire Mouse — a mascot Costume Specialists made for The Fire Mu-
used by fire fighters.
“The museum uses it for
teaching purposes,” Manger
notes.
While the pandemic has
brought challenges,
Manger is confident
about the future of the company that’s been leading the way in
mascot production for almost four decades. “We are proud to
seum in Columbus.
have survived the
international clients, but this was special
and our future is bright
“We’ve done a lot for national and
because it was for a local business,” Manger explains.
And there’s more to the
“Early on — we’re not
bounce back,” Manger
What is your favorite costume? To be
considered for an upcoming My Favorite
sure how early — we made the
original costume for The Fire Museum, and last
20
as we continue to concludes.
Boots the Fire Mouse story.
SEP T/OCT 2021
COVID-19 pandemic
c os t u m e r s . o r g
Costume profile, email Editor Kathleen Furore
at kfurore@yahoo.com.
