Spirit Halloween already opening stores in Ontario in the middle of summer
It might only be mid-August, but it seems Halloween fanatics in Ontario are already gearing up for the spooky season.
Although the autumn holiday is still 77 days away, American retailer Spirit Halloween has prematurely begun opening stores across the province, which, depending on where you fall on the Halloween-loving spectrum, could be considered either exciting or early to a fault.
As expected, the early rollout already sparked elation (and an equal amount of confusion), with costume planning apparently well underway for a large portion of shoppers.
As of Aug. 15, locations now open include Spirit Halloween on King Street and in North York, Erin Mills, Bramalea City, Stoney Creek, Upper James, and Niagara Falls.
More stores are expected to open later this month in areas like St Clair Ave. W., Etobicoke, Oakville, Meadowvale, Pickering, Aurora, Newmarket, Whitby and Oshawa, among others.
The news was met with dozens of enthusiastic comments from fans, who have been waiting all year for the seasonal retailer to open its doors.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time," one person wrote on social media, while another asserted that they will "be the FIRST person" in line at their location.
The company, which is the largest Halloween retailer in the U.S., is known for opening hundreds of temporary locations every fall, stocked with everything from costumes to decor and props to accessories.
In recent years, its early openings have become a tradition for those who like to plan ahead, although it's important to note that not everyone seems to be on board.
"It's AUGUST," one person wrote under the chain's announcement video, while another said that they "still don't understand why people need THREE MONTHS to Halloween shop."
Despite where you stand, I think we can all agree that last-minute Halloween shopping can be extremely stressful. So if you find yourself with a bit of extra time over the next few weeks, why not get in before the lines and chaos ensue?
Just make sure to check the retailer's website to confirm that your closest store is open before heading out.
Retail Photographer/Shutterstock.com
