Don’s Costume & Make Up Shop

Calgary’s Transformation Headquarters Since 1949

Seven Decades of Evolution. 20,000 Professional Pieces.

The story of Don’s started back in 1949 when Don Spicer opened a downtown Calgary community hobby shop on 7th Avenue. He wanted to be where the action was. By the mid-50s, the shop moved to 6th Avenue and 1st Street West, sitting on the southwest corner right next to the historic Grand Theatre, just half a block north of The Bay.  For decades, we were a fixture of the downtown core known as Don’s Hobby Shop—a local hub for model builders, model train enthusiasts, novelty joke lovers, collectors, and crafters. There was even a featured basement operation for renting out formal wear.

In 2003, Don Spicer sold the business to Scott and Sandy Bennie, beginning a new chapter for the shop. In 2004, we moved to our current home at 1515 Centre Street North and introduced our iconic 1950s cinema-style logo, designed by local legendary rocker and artist Tom Bagley.

As Calgary’s creative needs changed, the hobby kits and formal wear made room for theatrical makeup and professional costumes. By 2020, to better reflect our status as one of the primary headquarters for film and theatrical supplies in Western Canada, we officially transitioned our name to Don’s Costume & Make Up Shop. While many of our regulars still simply call us "Don’s," our new name reflects exactly who we are today: a specialized powerhouse for costumes, accessories, and the professional SFX makeup that has become our modern-day craft.

Why we are the industry standard

A year-round institution

While big box stores and pop-up shops only have Halloween items for a few weeks in October, Don’s is open all year. Professional transformation doesn't have a season. Whether you are prepping for a film production in January, a theatre show in May, or a festival in the middle of summer, we are here and our inventory is ready.

Costumes and accessories at every price point

Our collection is one of the largest in Canada, featuring over 20,000 professional-grade pieces available for purchase. We don't believe in "one size fits all" quality. We carry a massive range of costumes and accessories at every price point, ensuring that whether you are looking for a budget-friendly outfit for a party or a high-end ensemble built to look perfect on a film set, we have exactly what you need in stock.

Decades of expertise

At a time when most stores have a revolving door of staff, Don’s is different. Everyone on our floor has at least 10 years of experience in the shop. Some of our team members have been here for 23 years, and our manager has been a fixture here for nearly 30. When you ask us a question, you're getting an answer backed by real, specialized knowledge.

Professional Film & Theatrical Make Up and Face Painting

We are proud to be the main supplier for film productions across Alberta and theatre companies from coast to coast in Canada. We carry the same high-end SFX brands used by professional makeup artists and face painters to create everything from subtle aging to blockbuster creatures.

Our inventory includes industry-leading names like Ben Nye, Kryolan, Mehron, Paradise, Cheek FX, Wolfe FX, and Graftobian. For specialized film and television work, we carry professional supplies from Skin Illustrator, Premiere Products, Telesis, Fleetstreet, and Michael Davy. Our kit essentials cover everything from Pros-Aide and 3rd Degree to Mel Products, PTM, W.M. Creations, and Reel Creations.

We also support artists with prep and finishing products like Beauty So Clean, Parian Spirit, and MUA. For vibrant creative work, we offer Amerikan Body Art, Paintglow, Proaiir, and Jordane. Whether you need prosthetics from Woochie, realistic tattoos from Tinsley, or the amazing brush cleaner from Cinema Secrets, we have the professional tools to get the job done.

We don't just sell the products; we know how to use them.

  • Expert demonstrations: Our staff can show you exactly how to apply and blend professional products for the best results.
  • Personal tutorials: You can call and make short appointments for one-on-one tutorials to make sure you're comfortable using your makeup kit.
  • Workshops: We host regular sessions for our community of artists to dive into special effects and character design.

Visit the landmark

You can find us just six minutes north of downtown Calgary on the corner of Centre Street and 15th Ave North. Getting here is easy:

  • From Downtown: Drive six minutes north on Centre Street.
  • From Deerfoot Trail: Take 16th Ave West, turn left on Centre Street, and we are one block down on the right.
  • Hassle-free shopping: We have six free parking stalls for our customers and spacious change rooms so you can make sure the fit is perfect.

There is a reason we have remained a Calgary staple since 1949: we know the craft of transformation better than anyone else. Whether you’re a pro make up artist building a kit or a cosplayer looking for that one authentic accessory, Don’s is your year-round destination for a better class of costume.