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Rylie Horrall<\/strong> | Lifestyle Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Looking for a costume for Halloween, a party, festival, faire or convention? Search no further than Dancing Muse.<\/span><\/p>\n Dancing Muse is a costume shop located at 281 Main St. E in Monmouth \u2014 easily identifiable by the giant inflatable dragon in front. Enter through the door on the left and climb the steps to reach the store.<\/span><\/p>\n Officially opened on Oct. 18, the store is owned and operated by James Martin and Mary Harper, who bought the original costume shop that resided in Monmouth. The original shop was only open once a week, but Dancing Muse is open seven days a week, all year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe embrace Halloween year round,\u201d Martin said. Dancing Muse is full of costumes that vary from Halloween to sci-fi related to pirate garb. More choices are available for those looking for Renaissance faire outfits or cosplay gear. The center spread of costumes in the store also changes seasonally.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to their current selection, Dancing Muse makes custom costumes and accessories for their customers, and will even repair damaged ensembles that are brought into their store. Presently, Martin and Harper are repairing their sewing machines, which is delaying their current sewing availability.<\/span><\/p>\n The store uses the tagline \u201cWe Dress Naked People\u201d on their business cards and social media sites to reference their business direction \u2014 meaning their business serves to get people fully dressed up for events they are attending.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNaked is a community term referring to someone wearing street clothes, rather than garb\/costume at a convention or festival,\u201d Martin said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Martin also stated that Dancing Muse uses a type of therapy that involves dressing up in costumes.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPutting on a mask or costume at a party allows a person to become someone else, or to help hide fears and anxiety from others,\u201d he stated.<\/span><\/p>\n