Summer, Begone! Spirit Halloween Stores Opening

The calendar may say it’s still summer, but for at least one specialty retailer, the spooky season (i.e., Halloween) has arrived. Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc. said it has begun opening its yearly fleet of seasonal Spirit Halloween stores across North America. (The chain says it marks that occasion when “Jack the Reaper” appears and opens the stores’ doors.)

In 2026, that fleet is expected to number about 1550 locations, most in store spaces that have been vacated in recent times by other retailers. New this year: select store locations will house “Camp Harbor Lake” installations inspired by telling spooky tales by the campfire tales ’80s horror movies.

“For those visiting participating stores, brave souls can explore the abandoned cabin and face creatures like the Trash Bandit, Willow Witch, Whirling Wendy, Crackles, and more unforgettable animatronics lurking around every corner,” the company noted in a news release.

“For many Halloween fans, visiting Spirit has become an annual tradition and the unofficial start of the season,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spencer Spirit Holdings, which also operates 650 Spencer’s stores and its fledgling Spirit Christmas concept, which launched in 2024 and had about 30 locales last year. “We take great pride in being part of that tradition, while continuing to create new reasons to be surprised each year. From our immersive in store experience and industry-leading animatronics to exclusive costumes and one-of-a-kind décor, there’s something for every Halloween fan to discover.”

Related note I: The National Retail Federation (NRF) has not yet released its widely watched spending projection for Halloween 2026. That information typically arrives by mid-September.

Related note II: Earlier this month Spencer Spirit Holdings unveiled plans to acquire Hot Topic Inc.