When a store has a giant inflatable jack-o'-lantern on its roof, you know it's going to be good. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
👋 Hi, it's Megan! I did something very out of character — figured out my Halloween costume with plenty of time to spare.
State of shopping: Three longtime local costume shops have said they will close after Halloween. I was devastated by the news and decided to check out a new-to-me store, Hocus Pocus, before it's gone.
Zoom in: Located near North Star Mall, Hocus Pocus has been around for 12 years, per KSAT. Online shopping, big-box stores and tariffs all spurred the owner's decision to close, she told the news station.
And Gibson Costume Shop, off Broadway near the Witte Museum, will close after nearly 100 years of dressing people up for Halloween.
💠My experience: After walking around Hocus Pocus for almost an hour, I was still finding new costumes — there were that many available. It was a joy to wander the aisles and consider all the possibilities Halloween affords us.
What's next: I've already been to Gibson Costume Shop, but definitely want to stop by again before it closes its doors. What an institution.
