Color me innocent. Color me naive. Color me a country bumpkin, not up to snuff on what's been happening in Mall World all these years. A chain of Halloween Superstores??? Been around 25 years??? That's what the
Spirit website declares. 16 of 'em in Arizona alone this Sept.-Oct., with our very own in that emptied out furniture store over on Gurley Street.
Here's their human signpost, right at the point where Grove runs into Gurley. The costume changes every so often. Today, it was a pirate.
Ooops! No entrance at the main door.
Going in the side door, one is greeted by the scary stuff. Rats, yet!
But, oh m'gawd. Superman costumes for toddlers; Toto costumes for the dog...
...and even Playboy is into the Halloween scene. At this point, my camera was spotted & I got the old "no pictures" admonition. Too bad. They'd have gotten more publicity, as I was fascinated with the wings department, the deluxe department ($129, velvet), princesses in pink, blue, red and gold and a complete wall of masks. Wow!
What they didn't have -- the perishables, such as pumpkins & trick or treat goodies.
Of course, I could have bought a pumpkin out at the Paulden do last Saturday. Even a pretty hand-painted plate for the occasion.
But you'll forgive me if I'm beginning to think that Oct. 31 is getting just a bit over the top. I think this is the last time I'll mention it for this year, at least. Of course, if I get a ride over to Mt. Vernon Street for the annual trick or treat extravaganza, I might change my mind....
Color me innocent. Color me naive. Color me a country bumpkin, not up to snuff on what's been happening in Mall World all these years. A chain of Halloween Superstores??? Been around 25 years??? That's what the Spirit website declares. 16 of 'em in Arizona alone this Sept.-Oct., with our very own in that emptied out furniture store over on Gurley Street.
Here's their human signpost, right at the point where Grove runs into Gurley. The costume changes every so often. Today, it was a pirate.
Ooops! No entrance at the main door.
Going in the side door, one is greeted by the scary stuff. Rats, yet!
But, oh m'gawd. Superman costumes for toddlers; Toto costumes for the dog...
...and even Playboy is into the Halloween scene. At this point, my camera was spotted & I got the old "no pictures" admonition. Too bad. They'd have gotten more publicity, as I was fascinated with the wings department, the deluxe department ($129, velvet), princesses in pink, blue, red and gold and a complete wall of masks. Wow!
What they didn't have -- the perishables, such as pumpkins & trick or treat goodies.
Of course, I could have bought a pumpkin out at the Paulden do last Saturday. Even a pretty hand-painted plate for the occasion.
But you'll forgive me if I'm beginning to think that Oct. 31 is getting just a bit over the top. I think this is the last time I'll mention it for this year, at least. Of course, if I get a ride over to Mt. Vernon Street for the annual trick or treat extravaganza, I might change my mind....
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I don't know if I should plan a trip there with the girls or avoid it like the plague! Looks fun and expensive!
I found one of Abe's pix of the drunken bumblebee here
http://brookvilledailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html
I liked the first pic best, but this one's interesting too. He has several blogs and has changed things since I was there a few days ago.
Oh Bother!! If you reeeeeeeeeely want to see that bee go to that brookvilledailyphoto site, access the Sept. archives and scroll down and down.
Brain -- you could spend a pile of money there, I'm sure.
Now I'm off to Beeville!
I've been wondering about that store...thanks for showing me the insides, since I doubt I'll get in there this year....
I bought the daughter's costume(s) (we haven't decided yet) online, though.
I admit I'm always a little concerned when I see those Spirit stores turn up. It seems like they're always sited in some white elephant retail location, an awkwardly empty space which once thrived and now reminds us that our downtowns are losing business.
I remember this furniture store being the "fancy" one my parents rarely shopped at; the Sears catalog store next to the plaza seemed more their style.
SBird -- So where will you take the little one on Halloween? BTW, congrats!!!
Melanie -- point about white elephant locations well taken, tho I noted yesterday that both the former car dealer & the former health food store are back in business. I would say that the former furniture store actually is a fine location for a tony restaurant. Plenty of parking, no need for daylight, etc.
Hhhhhm. We had a discussion in class just last week about "inversion holidays" where the Lords of Misrule and Fools and Sex and Wildness reign. One of the thoughts that came from the discussion -- if a society is more hierarchical, more socially rigid, more polarized between the haves and have-nots, does that lead to more lavish and extreme carnivals (think New Orleans Mardi Gras, think Brazilian Carnivale)?
And since we're seeing a rise in the popularity and economic impact of ever more lavish Halloween celebrations, does that indicate the gap between our home-grown haves and have-nots is on the rise?
Just wonderin'.
Most interesting observation, Lori -- I'd hate to think it so.
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