The Halloween rush is on in Ottawa
Halloween is creeping closer every day, and despite supply chain shortages, billions will be spent on candy, costumes and parties.
And no one loves this scary time of year more than 11-year-old Ben Coulter.
"I’m thinking of being Michael Myers," says Coulter who has seen every Halloween movie.
At Spirit Halloween in Kanata, the rush for costumes and decorations started in early August. Manager Joelle Desjardins says the more popular costumes are already close to being sold out.
"On weekends we have lineups all the way around the store," Desjardins says. "This year, Hocus Pocus is a huge one clearly. The second movie just came out after 30 years, I believe."
Halloween injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy. The Retail Council of Canada estimates the majority of Canadians will spend more than $50 on costumes and candy.
"We know that there’s still some ongoing supply chain issues," says Michelle Wasylyshen, Retail Council of Canada National spokeswoman. "Not across the board, but in some circumstances there are. So if you see something that you like, it’s always best to ensure that you purchase it early."
Along with many costumes selling out early this year, another big seller is the animatronics. Which gets bigger and creepier every year.
"A lot more people are decorating the outside of their homes," Desjardins says. "So that’s a huge seller this year."
Shipments arrive weekly, and given the pent-up demand this October, supplies will sell out fast.
"Halloween is a very special time," says Nick Hemm, Spirit Halloween Ottawa and Kingston operator. "Because you get to spend it with your family and there’s not as much pressure as Christmas.”
As for Coulter, there’s no better time of year than now to watch more of his favourite horror movies.
"My favourite one would probably be Killer Clowns From Outer Space."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.