'Gone' shopping: Local businesses stock up on 'Gone Girl' merchandise

Shopping for a holiday gift this year with a little hometown flavor and a Hollywood-size flair?

Local businesses and a downtown organization have "Gone Girl"-inspired items available, based on the best-selling book turned big-screen success filmed partly in Cape Girardeau last year.

The 20th Century Fox production of the feature film was set in the fictional Missouri town of North Carthage and starred Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. Pike, with director David Fincher and book author/screenwriter Gillian Flynn, were nominated for Golden Globe awards last week for their work in the film. Dozens of local people participated in the moviemaking as extras in fall 2013, and Cape Girardeau held its own premiere of the mystery thriller at Wehrenberg Cape West 14 Cine in October.

Earlier this year, Old Town Cape, a downtown revitalization organization, began selling a "Gone Girl Downtown" limited-edition Christmas ornament at its office and through several retail stores. The organization sells a community-themed ornament each year.

The "Gone Girl" ornament depicts a downtown scene of locations used in the movie.

"Gone Girl" film crew members spray fake snow on the lawn and steps of the Common Pleas Courthouse on Oct. 11, 2013, in Cape Girardeau. Their work led to a scene that inspired the design of a Christmas ornament that's sold in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Kevin Taylor, development and resources coordinator for Old Town Cape, said the ornaments have been going fast.

"We ordered 500, and we have about 50 left," he said Friday. "It's been one of the best-selling ornaments we've had."

Taylor said hype from the movie, combined with the ornaments being part of a collectible set, promoted good sales.

There still may be more available than at the Old Town Cape office, Taylor said, because local businesses are selling the ornaments, too.

The ornaments cost $30 with a stand or $25 without.

A local business with a "Gone Girl"-inspired product is Sweet Designs Boutique, a downtown Cape Girardeau store offering gifts, personalized accessories and home decor.

The "Amazing Amy" candle at the store, named after the story's female lead character, has been a good seller, owner Candi Winkler said.

The supplier of the candles offers customizable scents and the opportunity for retailers to name the blend themselves. So Sweet Designs offers candles called "Amazing Amy" and "Christmas in Cape," among others.

The "Amazing Amy" candle costs $27.

Local bookstores have copies of "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn in stock.

Online, "Gone Girl" fans or their gift buyers can shop for clothing seen in the movie -- Kansas City, Missouri-based Boulevard Brewing Co. sells a T-shirt like one worn by Affleck in the movie, while several websites offer another shirt identical to one worn by the actress who played Affleck's character's sister, Margo Dunne. A black-and-white dress ensemble similar to one seen on Pike in the film is available from a few retailers and is the subject of a fashion Web page. On independent seller sites such as Etsy.com, "Gone Girl"-inspired items are for sale, such as jewelry, mobile phone cases, tote bags, coaster sets, movie posters, watercolor painting prints and shirts.

The film is scheduled to be released on Blu-ray disc and DVD on Jan. 13, 20th Century Fox announced last week. Amazon.com has both available for pre-order. An extra offered with the purchase of the Blu-ray is a 36-page, limited edition "Amazing Amy Tattle Tale" book, according to entertainment website hypable.com.

eragan@semissourian.com

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