ENID, OK - An era came to an official end in Enid, Oklahoma in 2012. If Enid ever had a store that sold oddities it would have been Papa Torry's Import and Gift Shop at 1721 N. 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 was not been enough business to sustain moving it to a new location.
The sale of the Lip-So Aluminum Awning Co. building finally brought an end to the long time, colorful business. The new store owner and Lipps, owner of the building, decided the time is right to lay the business to rest. All of the contents of the store went up for sale including fixtures and display cases.
The store was always stocked with costumes, masks, wigs, gag items, books, canes and more. The going out of business sale took place on Friday, July 6, 2012.
The original article was written in July of 2012. This is an updated reminder of Enid's past.
How sad… I loved going in there as a kid.