Spirit Halloween shops reawaken, with dozen open in North Jersey and more on way
Many once-thriving retail giants may have died off, but if you're lucky, you may spot their former premises come alive several months each year and emerge as a Spirit Halloween shop.
The nation's largest retailer for all things spooky, with headquarters here in New Jersey that holds a massive celebration each August, recently announced a record-breaking number of stores this season — over 1,500 — with a few set to open this month in North Jersey. It's ideal timing since fall has finally emerged and the air is crisp, which seemingly ushers in the age-old question from kids and teens, and, yes, even adults, alike: Who should I dress up as for Halloween?
From a 6-foot animatronic of the iconic masked horror villain, Michael Myers, of "Halloween" movie fame, light-up spiderwebs strewn across the outdoor windows or a matching Harley Quinn and Joker couples costume, consumers spent an all-time high of $12.2 billion during the 2023 Halloween season — an increase from $10.6 billion spent in 2022, according to the National Retail Federation.
The NRF's annual survey found each American surveyed planned to spent $108 on Halloween decorations, costumes and candy, with the majority digging deeper in their pockets for the perfect costumes.
With hundreds of Spirit Halloween outlets opening by end of September, it may be no coincidence that it happens to be the most common month consumers plan to begin their Halloween. Spooky.
Where are Spirit Halloween stores in North Jersey?
Spirit Halloween stores can be found in 42 former retail sites across the Garden State. In North Jersey, here are a list of locations. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are expected to open by the end of September.
Sussex County
Franklin Borough: 100 Route 23 (former Harmon Face Values)
Newton: 17 Hampton House Rd. (former retail site next to Michaels)
Morris County
*Parsippany: 3101 U.S. Route 46 (former HomeGoods)
Riverdale: 48 Route 23 (former Sports Authority)
Rockaway: 327 Mount Hope Ave. (former Christmas Tree Shops)
Succasunna: 275 Route 10 (former Harmon Face Values)
Passaic County
Clifton: 1030 U.S. 46 (former Unclaimed Freight)
Totowa: 410 Route 46 (former Mattress Firm)
Wayne (two locations): 1246 Hamburg Turnpike (former Mandee) and 469 U.S. 46 (former Bloomingdale's)
Essex County
Livingston: 530 West Mount Pleasant Ave. (former Buy Buy Baby)
Bergen County
Paramus (three locations, *one new): 460 N. Route 17 (former Bobs Furniture); 2220 Bergen Town Center Drive (former Kirkland's Home); and *145 Route 4 (next to Dollar Tree)
As quickly as their orange banners blanket former storefronts, the retail giant will swiftly disappear quickly after Halloween: Most Spirit Halloween stores are open for 10 to 12 weeks, with most closing by early November, likely with prices slashed on the final days.
To find out more store locations across New Jersey, visit https://stores.spirithalloween.com/nj. No location close enough to you? No fret. The store offers their Halloween décor, costumes, props, accessories, party supplies and other ghoulish treasures in their online store, which is open year-round.
What is Spirit Halloween?
Spirit Halloween, which touts itself as the largest Halloween retailer in the country, first opened a pop-up store in 1983 at a mall in Castro Valley, California. Joe Marver, the company's founder, opened the location after experimenting with the Halloween business in his women's apparel shop, according to a 2000 article from the Los Angeles Times.
"They laughed at me and put me in a corner hidden behind an old restaurant. When I did $100,000 in 30 days, they were astounded,” Marver told the Times.
In 1999, Spencer Gifts purchased Spirit from Marver.
The store's flagship location is in Egg Harbor Township in South Jersey, located inside a former Circuit City, is much larger than your average Spirit Halloween and opens in either late July or early August each year with an epic celebration. According to one avid self-proclaimed horror fanatic who visited the celebration in 2023, many customers line up overnight to attend the celebration and are awarded with gift bags full of merchandise and coupons. The store, which is connected to Spirit Halloween's corporate offices, is also down the street from the company's headquarters.
Want a seasonal job at Spirit Halloween?
All locations listed in North Jersey are still hiring, with 86 seasonal and district jobs available, according to Spirit Halloween's career website. A total of 88 jobs are listed, including seasonal sales associate, assistant and store manager, and district sales manager positions. Teens as young as 16-years-old can apply for a position as a sales associate and 18-year-old adults with prior retail experience can apply as store manager. To apply for a job, visit https://www.work4spirit.com.
Email: lcomstock@njherald.com; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Where are Spirit Halloween locations in North Jersey? Find out
