Pandemic scares away H’ween store

An iconic Manhattan costume shop — with the best street shortcut in the East Village — is shutting its doors, another victim of the business-killing pandemic.

Halloween Adventure, a 40-year staple in the eclectic neighborhood, is facing a scary future amid reports and social media posts that it is closing the deal on the last of its costumes.

“Another one bites the dust,” film director Nicolas Heller posted on his social media account. “Childhood favorite, Halloween Adventure announced it is closing after nearly 40 years in business. The best short cut from 4th Ave to Broadway there will ever be. RIP.”

While the shop is best known for an impressive array of costumes, masks, props and fixtures, locals know it as a heavily traveled route to get from Broadway to Fourth Ave.

Despite the word “Halloween” on its sign, the store has been operating year-round with offerings for theme parties and props and designs for the city’s huge theater industry. The store even has costumes for pets.

The shop has been at its current location since 1996, and expanded in 2004 to include a second entrance in 2004. In addition to its “Boo York” site, the business also has two Pennsylvania locations.

Among those mourning the loss is actress Chloë Sevigny, who marked the sad occasion with a crying emoji.

The store has been promoting clearance sales since November, with current offerings of up to 75% on its merchandise.

‘Normal teen’ mourned

The grandfather of a teen gunned down in a Brooklyn housing development said Monday the killing has left him gutted.

“I’m devastated. I haven’t slept, you know. I’ve just been up thinking about him all night,” said Harold Pinder, whose grandson Raymond Matthews, 17, was shot in the chest Sunday in a third-floor hallway in the Linden Houses complex on Stanley Ave. at Vermont St. in East New York.

“I was ripped apart,” Pinder told the Daily News.

The teen lived on the same block where he was killed. Police haven’t made any arrests, and an NYPD spokesman said there was no information on a possible motive.

“He was a gentle person, regardless. I don’t know what happened in the street,” said Pinder, who was fielding phone calls from people offering condolences as he answered the door of his New Lots apartment. “As far as I know, he was a good kid,” he said, tears in his eyes. “He liked basketball, dating. Just a normal teen.”