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ENID, OK - An era is coming to an official end in Enid, Oklahoma. If Enid ever had a store that sold oddities it would have been Papa Torry's Import and Gift Shop on Grand Avenue. For decades Papa Torry sold gag gifts, magic tricks, masks, wigs and costumes. The well known little store with no parking was the "go to" place for Halloween costumes for years. Many a young kid looked forward to exploring the sometimes creepy store just for the expectation of discovering something never before seen.
The store, opened in 1972, has had its up and downs over the last decade with a tough economy, a lousy location and more competition. Charles Lipps (Papa Torry) passed away Saturday October 31, 2009. He would have been 85 the next day. Fitting that he should die on Halloween since that was his busiest season and one of his favorite times of the year.
The fact that Papa Torry passed away left an empty hole in the business and it was temporarily closed down. Chuck Lipps thought there was a little life left in the great old business so he offered it for sale and let the new owner continue to run the business in its original location. The highlight for the shop each year has always been Halloween which has not been enough business to sustain moving it to a new location.
The sale of the Lip-So Aluminum Awning Co. building has finally brought an end to the long time, colorful business. The new store owner and Lipps, owner of the building, have decided the time is right to lay the business to rest. All of the contents of the store will now go up for sale including fixtures and display cases. The new owners of the building will be moving a lawn care business into the location so the contents are going to be moved quickly.
The store is currently stocked with costumes, masks, wigs, gag items, books, canes, a bubble machine and a smoke machine. Everything will be sold so this is an opportunity to own a part of a historic Enid business. If you do nothing more than drop by for an old memory this will be Enid's last opportunity to see the inside of the cities most unique gift store.
The going out of business sale begins at 9am on Friday, July 6. The sale continues July 6-7 from 9am-5pm and July 13-14 from 9am-5pm.
The store is located at 1721 N. Grand in Enid. There is parking in the back.
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How sad… I loved going in there as a kid.