Left: The interior of CosMom ConShop. Right: Rachel Dougherty, left, and Linda Walker (Photos Courtesy of Cosmom ConShop)
On Main Street in downtown Nashua, a colorful storefront is doing more than selling wigs, capes, and costume props to help cosplayers transform into their favorite superheroes and fantasy and anime characters. CosMom ConShop, a cosplay-centric shop founded by Rachel Dougherty and her mother Linda Walker, has quickly become a vibrant gathering space for NH’s growing community of fandom enthusiasts—and a rare example of a modern “third place.”
Originally an online-only store, CosMom opened its physical location in November. The expansion brought not just a larger inventory, but a new sense of purpose. “One of our goals as a brick-and-mortar business is to be accessible and friendly as a safe third space,” says Dougherty. “We’ve lost a lot of that culturally as Americans over the years, and I think it’s something that’s really integral to being a community.”
The idea of a “third place” refers to locations outside of home and work where people can gather informally, relax, and connect. These places once included cafés, barbershops, libraries, and bookstores, Dougherty says. But in today’s commercialized, fast-paced world, they’ve become increasingly rare. CosMom, Dougherty hopes, can help fill that gap.
Inside the store’s 1,400-square-foot space, visitors find more than shelves of cosplay gear and fan merch. Retro video game consoles hum, and corners are filled with bean bag and Yogibo chairs. Tables are set up with card games, always available for anyone to sit down and play. And in the weeks leading up to conventions like Anime Boston, a handful of regulars drop in weekly to build their costumes because their own homes or apartments are simply too small. “You’re not going to get kicked out because you’re under 17. You’re not going to be kicked out because your group is too big. You don’t have to pay to be here,” Dougherty says. “You can just come.”
Cosplay, short for “costume play,” involves dressing up as characters from movies, video games, anime, or pop culture franchises. Dougherty explains the distinction between cosplay and other costume-related practices with philosophical precision. “The key is that you are dressing up as a character,” she says. “You’re not dressing as a style or profession. Even if the character is something abstract, like the carpet pattern at the Dragon Con hotel, it’s still meant to evoke a specific image. Cosplay is about embodiment—about evoking a specific image or persona.”
A group of gamers gathers at the shop
That nuance matters in a world where fandom often gets reduced to stereotypes, Dougherty says. CosMom celebrates the creativity behind cosplay while supporting it through a carefully curated selection of costumes, wigs, makeup, props, and fashion from small independent brands. Many of the items are “cosplay-adjacent,” like graphic tees or casual accessories, offering fans more accessible ways to express their love for a character or series.
Since opening its doors, the store has seen steady growth in new and returning customers, from con veterans to curious newcomers. But Dougherty says the most rewarding part has been watching the space evolve into a genuine community hub. “It’s been amazing seeing the community come together here,” she says. “We’re building something special.” For more information, visit cosmomconshop.com.
