ABOUT ETOILE
18849 Ventura Boulevard
818/343-3701
Tarzana, CA 91356
818/343-3593
USA
800/ETOILE9
OWNERS:
Sandy Perkins and Rhonda Cowan
SALES STAFF:
Theresa, Darren, Michael, Sam, Miguel, Tracy, Isamar and Morris...like a bad
penny, he just keeps coming back!
IN BUSINESS SINCE:
1989
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/Discover/Cash/Check
Sandy and Rhonda started Etoile in September 1989 in a tiny 1200 sq. ft. storefront on Ventura Boulevard, just across the street from our current location. We started as a gift and party store doing party decorating, balloon bouquet and gift basket deliveries. We morphed into what we are today in less than 5 years, with the help and suggestions from family, friends and customers, but primarily due to the urging of Glen Schecter, our first costume rep back in 1990. After the Northridge earthquake in 1994, we moved into our 4000 sq. ft. location, feeling somewhat overwhelmed with it's seemingly massive size. Today, we have 300 lineal feet of rental costume racks, with platforms built on the tops to accommodate rental hats, wigs and crowns; 325 sq. ft. of gridwall filled with retail costumes in all sizes AND we're now hanging stuff from the rafters. We also have 2 storage containers filled to the brim with additional costume and accessory inventory.
Did we mention that Sandy and Rhonda are sisters? Both born in Los Angeles and raised right here in Tarzana. Their family home, only blocks from the store, is still the gathering place for family and friends, and often used for extra storage when the Halloween season rolls around. Mom isn't always thrilled with the mess, but we do try to keep it to a minimum!
Theresa, a mother of 4 grown children, has been with us for over 10 years and we'd be lost without her. Theresa is our morning manager during the week. For some reason she seems to think she'd like to spend her weekends with her family, so you won't find her around here on Saturday's or Sunday's. Her daughter, Candice, who also worked for us for 5 years, has recently gotten married and moved to Utah with her new husband. We miss Candice's smiling face and happy disposition!
Darren has been with us for a couple of years now and we'd be lost without his determination and strong muscles. With relentless energy he is the first to offer to find whatever it is you are looking for, no matter how high up on a shelf it is. Darren has one son, Jesse, who doesn't look a thing like his dad. Of course, Jesse, has hair! Like all the guys who work here, Darren speaks fluent SPEED MUMBLING.
Sam's been with us for several years. He is originally from Tennessee and speaks with a hint of an adorable Southern accent. He is a Theatrical Dresser by trade. We've worked out a special arrangement with him, so we can hold on to him, while he also pursues his profession. Whenever he gets a call for a gig, we just rearrange schedules a little bit to accommodate his theater schedule. So far, it's worked out really well, AND, we get to hear all the sorted stories of life behind the curtain. Sam is a whiz at costume repairs and tracking down that perfect accessory for any costume!
Tracy hasn't been with us very long, but she's settled in nicely. A little quiet still, but that'll change, I'm sure, once she gets to know us all a little better. We haven't learned too much about her personally, but we're working on it. Updates soon! Tracey is a senior in High School.
Isamar...what can we say. Another family association. She's Tracy's little sister! Isamar is still in High School, too and works for us one afternoon during the week and on weekends. We don't want to get in the way of her studies!
Miguel...Hey, girls! Miguel is cute, smart and single! He speaks fluent Spanish. He started here at Etoile last year just before Halloween and has become a real asset. He's still in school, so he only works weekends, but he makes an impression on those 2 days! Like all the guys around here, he's a bit of a tease, so be prepared.
Morris was our afternoon and weekend manager for a number of years, but left last year to pursue other opportunities. We've left him on our website, as he comes back to visit often and even helped out at Halloween last year! He promises to do the same this year, so...if you spot Michael Meyers wandering around the store...don't worry, it's only Morris giving all the customers a good fright! Morris arrived in the USA from Afghanistan when he was 10 years old and speaks Pashtoo and understands Farsi. He's also a big tease, so don't get him started!
Yep, Tarzana is named after the unforgettable character "Tarzan Of The Apes"! The once sprawling 550 acre Tarzana Ranch owned by Edgar Rice Burrows is now a thriving suburb of Los Angeles. Click on Tarzan and his lion friend below and zip right into the official Tarzan website!
We like to think our beautiful, sunny Southern California city, nestled at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, is the perfect starting point for a visit to the City of Angels. Just take a look at how close we are to what goes on in L.A.
Universal Studios - 10 miles
Magic Mountain - 22 miles
Disneyland - 65 miles
Los Angeles Zoo - 17 miles
Warner Brothers Studios - 14 miles
Disney Studios - 13 miles
NBC Studios - 14 miles
CBS Studios - 9 miles
MGM Studios - 13 miles
Paramount Studios - 16 miles
UCLA - 13 miles
Beaches - 12 miles
Hollywood Bowl - 10 Miles
Hollywood/Sunset Boulevards - 11 Miles