The Denver Traveler

American Gothic - On Broadway

by Alicia on June 21st, 2008

I still remember the first time Shawn Marie and I drove down Broadway and I saw Flossy McGrew’s. As we neared the place I saw the sun glinting off of what looked like a skeleton in a coffin, adorned with chains and other grinning skulls. I thought to myself that I wasn’t seeing what I was seeing, there was no way that was a huge green face with bulging eyes sticking out of a window….. was it?

Turns out, that’s exactly what it was.

Being someone who enjoys the macabre from time to time, I knew I had to get in there and see what was inside that skull arched doorway. Shawn Marie laughed at the time and said, “Oh that’s just Flossy McGrew’s. It’s a vintage costume shop.” Turns out it’s much, much more than that.

It’s a shop for the weirdo in all of us.

With skeletons hanging from the ceiling and a large selection of costumes both new and vintage, Flossy McGrew’s is one of a kind. You can buy or rent the costumes, which encompass just about anything you could ever have wanted to become for Halloween or just a fun night of going out. Not only will they be able to hook you up with that Victorian gown or sailor’s suit you have been dying for, but they have literally thousands of accessories to make your look as authentic as it can be. Practically every Local I’ve run into knows about Flossy McGrew’s, and has a story about taking a visitor to the city there and watching their eyes light up. Perhaps with fright, perhaps with awe, it’s all in the heart of the person as they step into this alternate universe on south Broadway. My Mom was excited to go to Flossy’s when she was here back in September. We didn’t end up with enough time to get Mom there, but I know it’s on her Must See list when she comes for a visit!

You’ll want to set aside a good amount of time for browsing through the multitude of items you’ll find inside. Everything from wigs to fake teeth to masks, Flossy’s is bound to have what you’re looking for. All of the costumes are on racks which are clearly marked with the era or style they belong to (40’s, 50’s, Cowboy, Medieval, etc) and there are several cases full of costume jewelry, which isn’t always for Halloween! They also carry group themed costumes, so if you were just itching to be a set of reindeer or a sextet of dwarves, you won’t be disappointed.

The staff is friendly and more than willing to help you find that awesome costume. Give them an idea of what you need, and they’ll be sure to help you put together something that will have everyone talking for years to come. No doubt while shopping you’ll run into Flossy herself, with her brightly colored hair and flamboyant attitude. Her name is Suelynn Gustafson, and she’s the proud owner of Flossy McGrew’s. The subject of a documentary called Grandma Goth, she’s one of the more colorful locals here in Denver.

Gustafson is the proprietor of Flossie McGrews, a used clothing and costume shop on Broadway in Denver, who has always been fascinated with morbid things. She purchased an old church on South Sherman Street to live in and house her collection of death-related items–coffins, Victorian tear catchers, photos of dead, tombstones, and an old hearse. The purple-haired Gustafson says that she laughs when she sees the young people who call themselves goths these days. “You know, I was grandma goth. I did this forty years ago, but I did it for a different reason.”

Goth or not, you have to check out Flossy McGrew’s if you find yourself in Denver. You won’t be sorry!

Flossy McGrew’s is located at 1824 South Broadway. They don’t have a website, but they can be reached by phone at 303-778-0853. They’re open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm.

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POSTED IN: Attractions, Family Fun, Fashion, Great Places to Unwind, Just a Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places, Must-See Sights, People - Interesting Local People, Resources, Shopping, Top Ten, Weird Denver