The big dilemma-of-the-week: what to be for Halloween.

Although there is a plethora of costumes to choose from, cost may be the key.

Amy Crivelli (sophomore-theatre arts) and Missy Marchetti (sophomore-education), were in the Fright Gallery, 119 E. Beaver looking for a "Mike Brady wig," Tuesday night. The two students, along with their friends, plan to dress as "The Brady Bunch."

"We thought it would be funny to dress up creatively and use our imaginations," Crivelli said. She added that shopping for the costumes would be cheap since they could look in thrift stores.

Marchetti said she didn't want to spend too much money because she doesn't plan to use the costume again.

Crivelli and Marchetti may find thrift stores more affordable and creative for costume hunting, but others found downtown stores in their price ranges.

Chris Potter (freshman-agriculture) said he found prices in town reasonable.

But he said other than his wig, his costume consists of "raiding closets."

Gary Filkins, owner of New World, 118 S. Pugh St., said the Nov. 3 election is affecting customers' choice of costumes.

"The demand for presidential masks is obviously big," Filkins said.

"We sold out of Bill Clinton masks in one day," added Ginie Buckley, manager of The Fright Gallery. "But cows are the big one this year."

Despite the fact that some find other alternatives to the costumes downtown businesses offer, they are still doing well.

Buckley said it's silly to rent a costume for $40 or more for a month, adding that it's better to pay to own it and have the option to wear it again.

As opposed to the Fright Gallery, which only sells costumes and accessories, other downtown businesses that both sell and rent are doing rather well.

Competition has risen due to more businesses participating in Halloween and adding to the selection, said Arlene Tepsic, owner of New To You, 307 W. Beaver.

Although Tinderbox Gifts, 137 E. Beaver Ave., gets mostly local customers, some people come from as far as Pittsburgh, said owner Steve Artz.

"If I can't find anything downtown, I'm going to drive out of town to look," Donald Damico (senior-earth science) said, adding that cost is also a factor.