Local Halloween shops now outfitting holiday revelers
Last week, the word was “zombie” as the popular Zomibcon hit the city.
Now, local North Fort Myers shops are helping customers young and old get ready for Halloween.
The shops include the long-standing Masquerade and The Fun Tree, along with the new Spirit Halloween Superstore.
Masquerade has been on the corner of Pondella and Moody roads for many years. It offers all the traditional gear, great scary masks and a specialty of antique costumes.
The Fun Tree has been a Fort Myers staple for more than 35 years and is a family business. It has recently located off Hancock Bridge Parkway.
The newest store in the area is Spirit, a national chain owned in tandem with Spencer Gifts. It is located in Merchants Crossing.
At Spirit, there are many interactive displays, including several zombie areas, a “Bloody Mary Mirror” and one of the scariest for young and old – the jumping spider.
At least three feet wide and two feet long, the red-eyed spider “lunges” at shoppers when triggered.
“The spider was so popular we actually have sold out of it,” said manager Denise Dovin.
She and sales associate Donna Romero said watching the kids there is the favorite part of their jobs.
“Charlie Sheen is very hot this year,” said Dovin. They even have an everything Charlie Sheen display.
All Spirit stores are set up for a short period around Halloween. “On November 1 they will have all merchandise drastically reduced.”
And that isn’t all, Dovin said. “Then we throw a party for kids at Lee Memorial Hospital.” Guests donate to the fund for the party. Their names are displayed on a purple board, and when a guest signs up, they ring a purple cowbell.
The Fun Tree has relocated this year to a plaza off Hancock Bridge Parkway.
Owner Donna Faught has been in the business for over 35 years. She noted one big trend: “People are buying parts this year – to add on to what they have had for many years. I really think that is due to the economy.”
Besides full costume sales and rentals, they also rent to theatrical groups, schools and more.
That store boasts one of the biggest wig collections in the area. “Punk wigs are always hot because you can just put it together with regular clothes,” she said. “The other hot item we are selling is called the ‘morph suit’ – it is a body suit that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.”
They are now selling select props at half price. “We’ve had many through our many years of business.”
Elvira, Elvis and pirates still remain popular favorites. “Cleopatra and Marc Antony are also hot.”
They also do makeup, she said.
The Fun Tree is located at 4440 Hancock Bridge Parkway. The phone numbers are 217-0048 or 332-4423. Hours are usually 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and later on Fridays and Saturdays. Call for their extended hours coming soon.
Masquerade is located at 505 Pondella Rd. # 1. Call 997-6275 for coming extended hours.
Hours at Spirit are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store in located in Merchants Crossing at 15201 N. Cleveland Ave. #1010. The phone number is 997-1012.