Even the rise of online shopping can’t seem to kill the Halloween store

October 15, 2023 8:50 AM

Do you remember the days before pop-up Halloween stores? Pictures of them are all over the web, of course, but people sure do like to talk about Spirit Halloween, given it's the ghost of U.S. retail past. Heck, some people liked the store so much, they made a movie about it!
posted by cupcakeninja (12 comments total)

This post brought to you by my perennial bemusement at the return of Spirit Halloween stores. I never see advertisements for them, no one ever says anything about them, they just appear... and we go to them.
posted by cupcakeninja at 8:52 AM on October 15, 2023 [4 favorites]

I never see advertisements for them

Same...and imagine my surprise when the valpak coupon envelope last week had an advertisement for them with a 20% off coupon!
posted by msbrauer at 9:27 AM on October 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Wait - It's not Spirit Of Halloween? Spooky. 👻
posted by Mchelly at 9:48 AM on October 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

never see advertisements for them, no one ever says anything about them, they just appear... and we go to them.

Because, with the continued annihilation of brick-and-mortar retail, they can get those prime locations. I've seen one pop up in the former location of one of the anchor stores at what used to be the major mall in town, and another in the former Bed Bath & Beyond, maybe while it was still a meme stock.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:31 AM on October 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

But what about Hallowe'en in January?
posted by SPrintF at 11:20 AM on October 15, 2023

Last year was when I discovered the joy of Spirit Halloween. I wonder if this is in some way the future of retail, everything's a JIT store serving microneeds. Hungry? See if Spirit Grocery is in town this week.
posted by JHarris at 11:39 AM on October 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

The Pillars of The Earth could be re-written. Tom Stripmall and his son move to set up the plastic jack-o'-lantern displays as the princess and prince haul their bales of fake spiderweb for 13 for a farthling; 24 for a sixpence.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 11:44 AM on October 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Halloween feels like the most vibrant holiday in the US. I know Spirit Halloween is full of mass-produced costumes and decorations, but I still think they're helping to promote creativity, wit, and good cheer.

I have a general theory that Christmas is steadily narrowing its focus to celebrating children alongside close family, and that Halloween is taking over a lot of the communitarian, all-ages but not-G-rated, public festival aspects of the season.
posted by smelendez at 11:47 AM on October 15, 2023 [4 favorites]

Let's all rise for the Spirit Halloween Theme Song.
posted by JHarris at 1:04 PM on October 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

Wait - It's not Spirit Of Halloween? Spooky. 👻

Well, in the Berenstein Bears universe it is...
posted by hangashore at 1:17 PM on October 15, 2023 [4 favorites]

I agree. Nobody goes a-wassailing anymore* (drunkenly caroling at your neighbors' door until they give you more drink or food) and it's a damn shame.

(*Except for the Mari Lwyd of course)
posted by emjaybee at 1:26 PM on October 15, 2023 [3 favorites]

daggers made of plastic
scary stove top hats
vampyre teeth made of wax
latex all around.....
4 foam pumpkins
3 leafy candles
2 smoking skulls
and ghoul that's 6' high.
posted by clavdivs at 3:26 PM on October 15, 2023 [4 favorites]