Spirit Halloween in Roseville Sees Sheen, Traditional Costumes As Hot Sellers

Coming down the home stretch to Halloween,Twin Cities Spirit Halloween co-owner Dick Cohn expects his Roseville store and five other metro locations to scare up a ton of business.

During the last week to 10 days before Halloween is when Cohn's six Spirit Halloween stores dio about 80 percent of their seasonal sales.

"All this week will be insane," said Cohn,who along with his wife Val, have been in the seasonal business for 20 years.

This is the time when Cohn will find out whether business is down from a year ago because Hallowween falls this year on a Monday, resulting usually in one less weekend for bar costume parties compared to when the holiday falls in the middle of the week.

Cohn said he is hoping, however, that Halloween will maintain its position as the nation's fastest growing holiday. As of 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau reported there were 1,719 costume rental and formal wear establishments for Halloween across the nation.

Based on a consumer survey of buying intentions and actions, the National Retail Federation expects total Halloween spending this year to reach $6.86 billion. And 68.6 percent of those Americans surveyed said they plan to celebrate Halloween this month, up from 63.8 percent last year.

Cohn noted, "Halloween is no longer a day, it's a season."  The Cohns take about two weeks to set up their stores in vacant retail spaces and six weeks conducting sales.

In Roseville, Spirit Halloween has set up shop in the former Circuit City location, which is south of Highway 36 and east of Fairview Avenue. The seasonal retailer has taken about 10,000 square feet in displaying some 40,000 different items, which range from Halloween decor to costumes and props.

This year, Halloween customers are flocking to get Charlie Sheen wigs, bowling shirts and sunglases. Also hip this year are costumes for Mario Brothers and several Marvel Comic action heroes such as Wolverine and Spiderman, Cohn said.

"We are already sold out of a lot of stuff," Cohn said.

While Charlie Sheen costumes are the rage this year, Cohn said it's the old classic constumes, such as pirates, skeletons and the Grim Reaper that still pull down the lion's share of costume sales.

Bill Christianson and his wife Glenda, of Pine City, were among people fitting Cohn's typical customer tastes. "We are thinking a little pirate theme," Bill said recently. "We are looking for accessories."

Cohn said the typical customer spends nearly $40 at his stores and often visits several time before they decide on their costume.