Mecktoberfest is Axios' Laura Barrero's favorite local brew. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
It's still swimsuit season — but the giant skeletons are already stirring this Summerween.
Why it matters:Big-box retailers — including Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart and Costco — are moving early on Halloween as tariffs threaten to raise prices and fuel even more urgency among consumers.
They're not the only ones getting in the fall spirit early.
Driving the news: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's (OMB) popular "Mecktoberfest" lager is now available on draft, in 12oz cans, and in 6- and 12-pack bottles in local grocery stores
What's next: OMB will host Mecktoberfest festivals at both its Charlotte and Ballantyne locations this fall.
The party kicks off two weekends in a row at the LoSo location Sept. 12-14 and Sept. 19-21.
Then, the Ballantyne brewery will host two more festival weekends Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12.
