The Pierce Costume Shop creates costumes for schools and theaters across the state

PIERCE, Neb. (KOLN) – An old Pierce grocery building houses racks of 20,000 costumes, organized by era and genre. Some of them were designed by Kathy Steinkamp, owner of the costume shop In the Spotlight.

“I have been sewing for 50 years,” Steinkamp said.

She uses her skills in working with three permanent seamstresses.

“This is what I specialize in,” she said, pulling out an ostrich costume. “It’s an ostrich’s tail that, when it gets tired, bounces up and down when someone walks.”

Steinkamp creates styles for theaters, costume balls and directors in 38-45 schools. She remembers being in their shoes.

“I was a teacher. I’m still teaching,” Steinkamp said during a tour of the store. “I teach children in China (online) at night and then I do it during the day.”

Steinkamp has taught and directed plays for over two decades in the Norfolk area.

“I brought the kids to the warehouse across from (Pierce) all the time,” Steinkamp said. “And I thought, ‘Oh man, I really wish I had this place.’

Pierce’s costume shop had many owners before Steinkamp, including Marci Zierke, Julie Moss and Laurel Miller. Steinkamp even sewed for Miller when her children were little.

The store went on sale in 2020.

“So I bought it the same day,” Steinkamp beamed. “And that was my happy place. It was just a joy.”

Steinkamp moved the business into Pierce’s old grocery store building, where people can browse clothes on a timeline.

“We have a lot of authentic works here,” Steinkamp said. “This is an authentic 1930s style jacket. Much of our collection comes from donations, but we are very picky about the quality of clothing we accept.”

In addition to vintage clothing, the In the Spotlight costume shop also has areas dedicated to fantasy, military, pirates, celebrities and countless classic props. Her store also rents tuxedos and sells formal wear.

Her favorite part of the store is called “The World.”

“And if you walk down the aisle, you’ll see that they all come from different parts of the world,” Steinkamp said.

Gretna High Schools boasts one of the top NSAA Play Productions in the state and has received costumes from Pierce for 22 years.

“If you let (Kathy) know what genre you’re from or if it’s a play she really knows, sometimes she’ll get to know the characters and direct events or pull things along,” Erin Pollard said.

The school’s creative director said she remembered the costumes Pierce gave her when she was a student at Gretna High School.

“I don’t think we could have made it through the entire season without (the costume shop),” Pollard said. “There are many aspects to an act, and costumes are a huge part of it.”

Some passages were collected from Steinkamp’s experiences as a traveling missionary. However, as a business owner, she decides to stay in the small town of Pierce.

“I have to really praise the city because they wanted us to be here,” Steinkamp said.

And now he’s helping change people and playing in Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska.

In the Spotlight Costume Shop is located at 115 S Brown St. in Pierce. You can follow the store further Facebook or visit them website for more information and store opening hours.

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