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Spirit Halloween stores: When did they become so widespread?

By Daniel Miller
Updated  August 15, 2024 11:42am EDT
Business
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Spirit Halloween retail store entrance in indoor mall, Idaho. (Photo by: Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Spirit Halloween opened in 1983 and the brand built a huge following among Halloween enthusiasts and has more than 1,500 stores in the U.S.
    • The pop-up stores are in strip malls and traditional malls, offering a variety of costumes for people of all ages and unique Halloween decorations.
    • Spirit Halloween stores are open on a seasonal basis from August to November.

Halloween might be a few months away, but it does not mean you can’t get into the spirit early and stock up on costumes and decorations now.

The go-to spot for these items has become Spirit Halloween, which has gained popularity through the years for its early August pop-up store openings and array of Halloween costumes for people of all ages, its unique decor, and party products for Halloween enthusiasts eager to get a head start on their shopping to celebrate the day. 

When did Spirit Halloween stores start popping up everywhere?

The Halloween one-stop-shop started as a women’s discount clothing store, but following financial struggles and witnessing shoppers buying costumes from a shop near his, Joseph Marver transformed the business into a Halloween pop–up store in San Francisco, California, in 1983. 

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Spirit Halloween stores have seasonal hours and open near the end of the summer. Over time, the company gained a following among consumers searching for costumes and decor, and by 1998 the business expanded to 60 stores nationwide, Business Insider reported. 

How many stores does Spirit Halloween have now?

To date, Spirit Halloween has more than 1,500 stores in the U.S. located in strip malls and traditional malls. Spirit also has an online store for customers to buy costumes year-round, where it sells products for other holidays and occasions too.

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When is Spirit Halloween open?

The Halloween shop operates as a seasonal retail pop-up, opening from early August through November 2.

Where can I find a Spirit Halloween store in my area?

Consumers searching for a Spirit Halloween in their neighborhood can visit the company’s website or you can shop for Halloween supplies on Spirit Halloween's online store if you can’t find a store near you. 

The Source 

Information for this story was provided by Spirit Halloween and Business Insider.  This story was reported from Washington, D.C.