I found these guys in at Yellow Pages online when I was struggling to find spiders and decorations…read morefor a Spiderman party long after the Halloween stock had left the shelves. This really is a superstore with everything you could need for every kind of party. There is a full selection of kid's party products for every imaginable theme with a massive selection of balloons. They do helium-filled and can put in an additive to make them last longer than a few days. They also offer do-it-yourself packages. If you're not sure what type of party theme to have, then come here and get inspired. Their website is fairly up to date and can get you started on ideas before you venture out north. They have another location at Brighton if you're on that side of town.

Superstore is really more of what we are looking for, it has a great variety of party themes and…read morevery convenient for all kind of shoppers. It also has a very friendly staff who are willing to help you out in all the decos needed. Thanks to them for giving my daughter such as wonderful theme and making it more memorable.

I have to get this off my chest - although it is probably a little too late for Mask Q Rades to do…read moreanything about it. What is up with the name of this place? "Mask Q Rades". Awful. One of the worst business names I've ever heard. Ok, so that was a bit petty. Moving on. This big costume store on Port Road is just fine. If I were putting on a play, performing at a fair or going to an especially pushy friend's dress-up party, I'd stop by here. Their halloween options are pretty damn good - October was the last time I popped in, although I have to admit I am a bit more of a make-your-own-costume type, so I was browsing for ideas really. The prices weren't ridiculous, they even seemed a bit cheaper than the costume store behind the Central Markets in town - perhaps the rent is less out here. Most of the costumes seemed in relatively good condition too, which is a big factor when sealing the deal on a hire.

Adelaide, I have to ask you this question: Why the fuck do you have so many costume shops?…read more Seriously, every time I get in my car and drive five minutes, I pass about thirty of the bloody places. Is the market for costumes really that big? The second question is why there are so many "adult" stores in Adelaide, and I get the feeling that the two phenomena are related, which makes me wonder why there aren't more dry cleaning stores. I have been in here, once. Like Chloe, I think the name is spectacularly awful. But the stuff they've got inside is pretty cool and well worth a look. The rental prices are pretty low, too. I don't know what Adelaide prices are like when it comes to costumes, but this place is certainly lower than every place in Melbourne that I've checked (which is about two, but still..). The people are pretty nice and helpful when you're looking or even just brainstorming some ideas.

Beautiful new store with the most helpful and friendly staff! Girls dress section was literally…read moremagical. Great selection of Claudia Dean dance wear I couldn't find anywhere else too. Was also told they just launched an online store!

Lesley and Michael Visintin run The Stage Shop in Leigh Street. Although it's called The Stage Shop…read moreit really caters mostly for dancers; and young dancers doing jazz or ballet class, so even though they do have a great range of things, they are not so much about acting as they are about dancing. This is important because there are other places in town actors should go if they are looking for materials such as makeup, fake blood etc. Not having said tat, I do not mean to undermine the value of The Stage Shop because they have all the ballet shoes, jazz shoes, unitard, headbands, dare I say legwarmers and other things like hair nest, the substance of a hair bun... I'm not sure what you call those things that help make a perfect hair bun but it's like a donut made of a spongy type of material and it works every time. They certainly are helpful, and they can tell you some great stories and name just about every great ballet class or school around the city and metropolitan region, so if you have a youngster looking to extend their strength and abilities by taking a dance class, or indeed if you have a dancer in the family, this is a shop where you will find pretty much everything they would want or need when it comes to dance.

An absolute treasure which has been in the same location for many years and operated by the same…read moreowner. Selling out of print books, various magazines and also arts, crafts and jewellery. I once bought a lovely sterling silver and garnet braclet from here and do wear it on occassions. It's a mini library and I can envisage a couple of tables and chairs out the front sipping a cup of tea or coffee, whilst my nose is stuck into the daily paper, a book or a magazine (which I have purchased first). If the owner has the time, energy or inclination to do this, then wow, and I'd like my commission of a coffee each time I visit thank you. I really hope Acacia Arts doesn't end up the same way Lola's Flowers did across the road, retirement or worse is a horrible thing to have to deal with! So I truly hope there is family to continue when the time comes to continue the name and not change too many things...I like you just the way you are Acacia Arts.

I've walked straight past this store on multiple occasions without giving it much thought - I…read moreassumed it was only a jewellery and art store, but how wrong I was. Yes, they have a collection of accessories and crafts, but what really got me all geeky was the books! Oh, secondhand bookstores, how I love thee! Increasingly rare, a store devoted purely to old and out of print books is a treasure trove of amazingness. Not only are the titles sure to be either niche, classic or rare (or all three), the prices are usually great and the physical act of browsing books in search of a new gem for the bookshelf is a delight. The smell of old books permeates Acacia in a welcoming way, and there are stacks and stacks of books to keep you browsing. From Tolstoy to lurid paperback novels from the '50s, there's bound to be something for book geeks in here, and the staff are also lovely and helpful.

Where oh where have all the Lincraft stores disappeared to?? The Marion store has closed, and this…read moreone has been cut in half in the last few months! Previously I would have given Lincraft at least 3-4 stars ... but my last couple of visits have left me cold. I would have thought that they would be doing OK, considering the current 'handmade' trend. But this store has been reduced to half its size, with only one service counter. Where the Lincraft staff used to be friendly and helpful, now they are more like skeleton staff ... even if you're at the front of the queue, you are guaranteed to have to wait there at least 5 minutes, with only one person at the counter. So what has happened to Lincraft? Their stock is still of a higher quality than Spotlight, but I must confess they will no longer be my first stop when I need crafting supplies.

One of my favourite things as a kid was scouring through Lincraft and Spotlight for materials to…read moresew cushion covers, finding puff paints to decorate my jumpers with and jewels for bedazzling and painting wooden photo frames. Yes we are talking the 80s people. Unfortunately it seems Lincraft has failed to catch up with the crafting movement and instead was shoved up in the forgotten Dazzleland of the Myer Centre. With one service counter you won't find service in the aisles and be prepared to wait, even on a quiet afternoon. Spotlight always won the battle over Lincraft prices but there is more of an organised and premium feel to the products and materials available here. I have been in here searching for special buttons, wool, boxes to paper mache before and always found something, but the range of material and slow/tumbleweed service is a huge downfall. BONUS STAR: Did you know Lincraft have awesome online YouTube tutorials for "how to" arm knit a scarf, scrapbook or mattress stitch? Some of the videos are pretty dated looking, but it does win a point in my book back for the store.

Bonnie Wigs are better than you and they don't need your business. At least that's the vibe you get…read morefrom the stony faced hair merchants who judge you from behind their counter. Wigs are expensive but these really aren't wigs for dress ups (aside from the Northern wall) these wigs, like Bonnie's staff, are serious. If you've a condition that has caused you to lose your hair, are a woman trapped in a man's body, have had an awful hair cut, or your natural hair won't let you be the blonde you want to be, then Bonnie's has what you want. The wigs are high end, and if well maintained, will last forever. As the hair primarily on offer is natural, you can style it, and the staff may sachet down from their lofty heights to point out useful information about your chosen coiffure. You can buy gift certificates from here, which I have done in the past and tried on wigs (unassisted) with the intent of actually purchasing. Don't expect to get any better treatment as a customer, you're not worthy of their time or interest. At least they're consistent.

This is a beautiful shop to look at, especially if you're a fan of fancy and formal dress. They…read moresell a great selection of women's wigs (with a few men's wigs hiding around), from long to short, with all natural colours and styles and some party colours. The shop assistants ignore you unless you seem serious about actually buying a wig for a specific purpose. It is unsurprising that they're sick of people coming in to play with their expensive wigs. Wig prices start at around $100 and go up to the $300 mark for long wigs. They also stock a large range of jewelry, mostly glitzy and colourful. My favourite pieces in here are the masks. They have some beautiful Italian painted masks, as well as some rarer wire masks that are almost wire lace, they're so delicate and gorgeous. This is another one of those places to come in to drool on pretty, sparkly things, knowing that a reason to buy anything will rarely come along.

Unfortunately, their motivation is to get the sale! My dress…read morearrived completely different to what I ordered. The Manager did not show any care factor what so ever and I had to pay over a thousand dollars for alterations to have it as close as possible to what I ordered originally. Paid for additional motives as keepsake and still yet to receive. Worst experience, avoid the heartache

When my friend got married last year, I came here with her so she could try on some dresses…read more They have lots to choose from. My friend is a bigger girl, and she was happy to see they had a bit for her to try on. What's more, the dresses they had were actually really nice and shapely (not like a sack!). We walked in without an appointment, and the lady was lovely. There were a few people in the store, but she spent about 20 minutes with us, helping my friend in and out of dresses. She didn't try to push her into buying something, nor was she over gushy or negative. All in all a good experience.