99% Invisible

Spirit Halloween

12 snips
Oct 22, 2024
Mike Olson, a long-time employee of Spirit Halloween, dives into the fascinating world of this pop-up phenomenon. He reveals the clever strategies that helped Spirit Halloween thrive in vacant retail spaces. The discussion touches on the cultural significance of Halloween and how giant skeletons have taken over the holiday, sparked by their viral fame. Olson also examines the implications of temporary stores on urban development, questioning the future of retail amidst a hauntingly fun shopping experience.
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ANECDOTE

Toronto Storefront

  • A vacant storefront in downtown Toronto sat empty for years after a liquor store moved.
  • Every fall, the space is temporarily occupied by a Spirit Halloween store.
INSIGHT

Spirit Halloween's Business Model

  • Spirit Halloween is a pop-up store chain appearing in 1,500 empty storefronts across North America.
  • They operate for about three months, from August to early November.
ANECDOTE

YouTuber Enthusiasm

  • Many YouTubers create videos about Spirit Halloween's opening day, treating it like a holiday.
  • They explore the new products and themes, generating thousands of views.
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