Pop-up Halloween Store Open in Carmichael

Vacant storefronts can be a good thing for one kind of business: temporary Halloween stores like the one now open on Fair Oaks Boulevard in Carmichael.

Spirit Halloween has a location open for business at 7423 Fair Oaks Blvd., in the shopping center. The shop opened Labor Day weekend and closes Nov. 1, said Natalie Reese, a store spokeswoman.

The New Jersey-based chain, owned by Spencer Gifts, has many locations to choose from thanks to the demise of chains like Circuit City, Linens 'n Things and Borders Books, according to the Washington Post.

"Spirit’s seven-member real estate team heads out after Halloween to scout sites between 8,000 and 15,000 square feet in high-traffic areas for the following year," the Post wrote. "The company, which has year-round online operations, often returns to past locations, if they are available."

The Carmichael location, a former video rental store, is full of a wide array of costumes, from cute kids' outfits to pop culture references, which the company says are expected to be among its most popular this year, as well as a "Jumping Spider."

It's the first year at this location but the company has had stores in Carmichael during the past 10 years, Reese said. The store has 15 employees.

Carmichael resident Ted Stram, browsing the store recently with his 4-year-old daughter, said he always looks forward to Halloween.

"It's one of our favorite holidays," Stram said. "It's just fun taking kids trick-or-treating."

Staff from local radio station 100.5 FM will be at the Carmichael Spirit Halloween store from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and again Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. entering customers to win tickets to the station's annual Exotic Halloween Ball.

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Spirit Halloween in Carmichael, at the corner of Fair Oaks Boulevard and Manzanita Avenue, can be reached at 916-972-7792. It's open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.