Oct 10, 2007

Local retailers stock up for HalloweenBy Jennifer HuffmanNapaValleyRegister.com

The bloodied, bandaged, gruesome-looking mask on display at Feeney’s Halloween Warehouse is the last thing anyone would want to face in real life.

But when it comes to the spooky season, scary is definitely in — and local retailers have nothing to fear when it comes to Halloween sales.

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend more than $5 billion on Halloween this year, up from 2006. The average person is planning to spend $64.82 on the holiday, compared to $59.06 a year ago, according to the NRF.

Feeney’s store manager Lorrie Thomas said this is Feeney’s eighth year of selling spooky supplies in Napa. This year the seasonal store is located again at the old Goodwill location at River Park Shopping Center.

New horror movies inspire some Halloween costumes that are popular with teens, said Thomas. Masks run 99 cents for a plain harlequin eye cover to $80 for more elaborate disguises.

With the local 20-30 Club hosting a pirate-themed Halloween event this year, many visitors are asking for swashbuckling gear, she said.

There also seems to be a trend towards realistic props, including large motion-activated ghouls and witches. A “lenticular” portrait — reminiscent of the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland — is a new item, along with “haunted tree face” bark-like pieces for decorating trees.

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