A year ago, a basement fire nearly claimed one of Sacramento’s most beloved institutions. Today, Evangeline’s Costume Mansion is back—and it’s throwing a celebration worthy of the occasion.
The historic storefront in Old Sacramento officially reopened on Saturday morning, marking the end of an intense renovation journey that began after flames damaged the gift shop last June. The second and third floors remained largely unscathed, but the first floor’s smoke and water damage forced the entire operation to shutter. For a full year, Sacramentans who needed Halloween costumes, theatrical gear, or just a little theatrical magic had nowhere to turn. Owner Deborah Chaussé didn’t just survive the setback—she rebuilt. Everything was moved out, restored, and moved back in.“It’s all an amazing journey, and we’re so glad to be reopened,”she said at Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The grand reopening brought city leaders, the community, and some seriously cool attractions. A 1962 Cadillac hearse, lovingly restored by Chaussé’s husband, made an appearance. The first 200 guests walked away with exclusive swag bags, and the entire store offered 10% off everything. It’s the kind of welcome-back that honors both the building and the people who kept the faith while the doors were closed.
What makes this story resonate beyond nostalgia is what it reveals about how Old Sacramento functions as a living museum—not frozen in time, but evolving. The costume mansion occupies two 19th-century buildings: the Howard House and the Lady Adams Building, which also happens to be Sacramento’s oldest structure. According to Ty Smith, the city’s historian, the Lady Adams Building survived the Great Conflagration of 1852, when the entire city burned around it. That same resilience showed up again this year, in a different form—not the building standing alone against flames, but a business owner standing alone against loss and choosing to come back.
District 4 Councilmember Phil Pluckebaum called last year“a bummer,”admitting he was scrambling to find Halloween costumes elsewhere. His point landed hard: these institutions matter precisely because they’re irreplaceable. You can’t order authentic Sacramento history from Amazon. And once they’re gone, they’re gone. Smith captured something essential about what makes Evangeline’s work: it’s not just a shop.“The owner, Deborah, had a setback that necessitated closing for nearly a year because of a fire, but made it work again, and that says something about the Sacramento spirit, too.”
After 50 years of enchanting Sacramentans—from kids hunting their first perfect costume to adults chasing memories—Evangeline’s Costume Mansion didn’t just reopen. It proved why some places are worth fighting for.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
