“They add life to some of those areas that lack tenants and drive traffic and customers to those spaces,” said Miamisburg development director Chris Fine.
Spirit Halloween has set up in a location — the former Click Camera on Ohio 741 in Miami Twp. — that’s been empty for two years.
“Our new location here in the complex next to the (Dayton) mall, brings in business for other businesses, like Vapor Express and Red Wing Shoes, and they bring business into our store as well. It’s a win-win for everybody,” said Spirit Halloween manager Traci Priest.
Two additional pop-up Spirit Halloween stores are located on Airway Road in Riverside, and in Sugarcreek Twp. at the Sugarcreek Plaza.
Spirit Halloween was founded in 1983, was purchased by Spencer’s in 1989, and has grown to more than 1,100 seasonal locations in the U.S and Canada.
The three stores employ 45 people total, according to Priest, and the Miamisburg location has a “now hiring” sign posted on its window.
“Economically speaking, one of the larger benefits is to the property owners. These business do tend to fill a need as a tenant in vacant space,” said Fine.
The popularity of the pop-up Halloween stores is growing, especially in the Dayton region, according to Priest.
“In this area, people decorate more for Halloween than they do on Christmas,” Priest said.
The temporary nature of these Halloween pop-up stores has a frustrating side for some shoppers, like Marion Hamsik of Springboro, who was buying costumes for her 4-year-old twin grandsons.
“We went to all the places that were still around last year and every one of them wasn’t there. They pop up all over the place, but then you can’t find them again,” said Hamsik, adding that the great selection makes the hunt for the store worth it.
Another chain, Halloween Express, still has many pop up locations around the country, but the one location in the Miami Valley, is no longer just a seasonal shop.
Costume Corner Dayton’s Halloween Express is now open year round on Ohio 73 in Springboro, according to owner Tim Boggess.
“It’s difficult getting the word out. We get compared to the pop up stores,” Boggess said.
The store has been open year round since 2012, but the location has changed every couple of years.
It moved from the Dayton Mall in 2013 to the former H.H. Gregg location on Springboro Pike, and moved to Springboro in 2014, and currently has 12 employees, Boggess said.
The decision to stay open year round was due to demand from theme parties, dances, theater, cos-play, and comic book and horror conventions, Boggess said.
“Everybody needs a costume, it’s not just about Halloween anymore,” said Boggess.
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