September/October retail openings
$29.99.
“I’m going to scare my best friend and all the little kids,” he says (at the ripe old age of 10). Little sister, Ava, 7, is going trick-ortreating as Uma from Disney’s “Descendants” movie. Mom Jennifer ordered the costume months ago from Spirit’s online store, and it’s scheduled to arrive next week.
“That costume’s hot as a pistol,” says Dad Dave, who’s still mulling his getup.
Let’s not forget those furry babies: 10 percent of consumers will humiliate their pets, dressing them as pumpkins, hot dogs and pirates. Nearly 41 million unimaginative adults will dress as Batman, animals, witches, wenches and pirates, with sexpot looks on many ladies’ lists.
It’s easy to understand why Spirit Halloween expands each year, spreading like the Zombie apocalypse. Halloween is big business.
More than 179 million Americans plan to dress up and party this year, up from 171 million last year, according to the National Retail Federation. Spending also is predicted to reach a record high, with households forking over about $86 each, or an astounding $9.1 billion collectively, up from $8.4 billion in 2016.
That’s a lot of candy and costumes.
I’m going to put my costume together the oldfashioned way by scouring Good Will, The Salvation Army and other thrift stores.
I’m in the market for a good broom.
Doreen’s Deals Retail Roundup runs monthly. Send announcements to dchristensen@sunsentinel .com. This monthly feature lists retail stores and restaurants opening around South Florida. Openings Bean & Barnacle,
Beehive Kitchen, Blue Moon Mexican Cafe, Ceviche Street, Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, Carters, Think & Believe, Shoe Palace and Joe & Ray’s Table
Coco Bambu, Di Caputti Pizza and Bar, DIRT, Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, Kapow Noodle Bar, Krispy Kreme, LocalGreens, MIA Kitchen and Bar, New River Pizza and Fresh Kitchen, Ookapow Brewing Co., Padano Bar and Grill, Pinot’s Palette Paint & Sip Studio, Subculture Coffee, Wawa,