How it all started
Way 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.
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
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.
From Downtown:
From Downtown:
Yes, we offer international shipping to select countries. Please check our shipping policy for details on destinations, rates, and delivery times.
Drive six minutes north on Centre Street.
From Deerfoot Trail:
From Deerfoot Trail:
Take 16th Ave West, turn left on Centre Street, and we are one block down on the right.
Hassle-free shopping:
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.