Celebrating 18 Years of Costuming and Community at Isla Vista’s Sweet Jane

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Alice Dehghanzadeh

Contributing Writer

Just in time for the Halloween festivities in Isla Vista (I.V.), the popular party boutique Sweet Jane celebrated its 18th anniversary this October. Known for its costumes and accessories, Sweet Jane provides students and residents of I.V. with the liberating chance to shop to their costuming desires all year, but it’s during Halloween where the store really shines as customers come to search for their Halloween costumes. From sunflower sunglasses to spooky skeleton gear, Sweet Jane has it all.

Stella Termin, the owner of Sweet Jane, shared some insight with The Bottom Line on the store’s bustling Halloween experience. “We order more of the fun stuff in advance,” Termin revealed in regards to preparation for the holiday. It helps to be well-equipped for the out-the-door lines. Additionally, having a motivated team, who have a good time but “also know when it’s time to work,” is even more helpful. She also hires more seasonal staff to match the rate of popularity amongst customers, ensuring that needs are met while maintaining an engaging environment.

Adama Hurlbut, who has worked at Sweet Jane for two years now, can attest to the fact that it gets intense during Halloween, the store’s peak holiday season. She revealed that restocking is a large portion of the job at this time. As for purchase trends this year, Hurlbut shares that she’s seen many ruffle bloomer shorts, angel wings, and coin skirts. The most common costumes she’s seen include Cleopatra and Betty Boop.

Since the store’s opening in 2006 as a girl’s clothing store, Termin has seen many years of change in I.V. However, one thing has remained constant, and that is her intention for the store. She’s always said that the store is “for the students,” and through her experience, she’s met some “amazing young people.” Her employees have always been UC Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara City College students, and she’s had satisfied students working from their freshman year all the way to their senior year. 

As for staying current, Termin shared her method to know what her customers resonate with: “I know what works and what doesn’t work.” This instinctual approach means that Sweet Jane can evolve time and time again as a staple to I.V. 

It is clear that Sweet Jane offers a welcoming and positive atmosphere to employees and customers alike. “We take care of each other; we have a mutual love for Sweet Jane,” Termin shared. They burn incense, play popular music, and greet customers with an unyielding excess of kindness, ensuring that everyone has the best possible experience when choosing their costume.

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