Daily Inspiration: Meet Steffi Cappel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steffi Cappel.

Steffi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Cappel’s year-round business was opened in August, 1945 by brothers William and Urban Cappel. While the company has evolved from a display store that sold décor to department stores in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee to a retail corporation selling costumes, accessories, party supplies, and party decorations, it has remained family-owned and operated for more than 80 years. Cappel’s is currently owned and managed by William’s and Margaret’s son, Ray and Ray’s wife, Steffi. Ray has been involved in the business since he was a kid (more than 65 years), and Steffi since 2013.
In the mid 1970’s Ray introduced Halloween costumes, accessories, and decorations to the company’s line of party supplies. Halloween soon became the main event of the year.
Over time, Cappel’s expanded from one downtown location to 5 year-round stores in and around Cincinnati and launched a successful website.
Check us out online at www.cappelsinc.com or in our stores: Downtown Party Store, 920 Elm Street, 513-621-0952 ext. 119, Downtown Costume Store, 917 Race Street, 513-621-0952 ext. 222, Blue Ash, 9525 Kenwood Road, 513-621-0952 ext. 333, and Anderson, 7668 Beechmont Avenue, 513-621-0952 ext. 888

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
During the past 81 years, Cappel’s has enjoyed a wonderful, loyal customer base – many current customers are the grand- and great-grandchildren whose families brought them here to shop over the years. We’ve also remained in business through wars, recessions, big box and online competition, a pandemic, and generational changes. In bygone days, Cappel’s competed against brick-and-mortar stores in it’s own region. As internet sales grew, our competition became worldwide. Sometimes one theft cost us an entire day’s profit. For me, theft is the most disheartening part of the business. And seeing customers get the “perfect” item for their event is the best!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Cappel’s specializes in offering unique vintage as well as trendy novelties, costumes, accessories, party supplies, and decorations. We are best known locally for costumes, masks, and helium balloons! I’m most proud of our intelligent, happy, diverse group of employees. Some have been working at Cappel’s for more than 20, 30, even 40 years. I think one thing that sets us apart is the continuity, institutional knowledge, and customer-first attitude of our employees. Secondly, Cappel’s has most themes for every season available all year round. If you need a Hawaiian luau theme in January, we have it. If you’re planning a St. Patrick’s Day-themed celebration in October, come to Cappel’s, And of course, we have everything you need for a Halloween party all year!

What’s next?
The biggest change coming soon is that we are moving everything from the downtown party store into Cappel’s Costume Annex at 917 Race Street during the next year. Instead of going around the block when you need something from the other half of Cappel’s, everything will be in one location – like in our suburban stores.

Pricing:

• Each store has a “SALE” section
• “SALE” costumes will be available before Halloween

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cappelsinc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cappelscincy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cappelsinc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cappels3380
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cappelsinc