Halloween spending is expected to drop by 8 percent this year, according to the National Retail Federation. Misty Watson, from Bloomington’s Campus Costume store, says many people still want to celebrate, although sales aren’t as good as last year.
“It’s not crazy like normal, but considering, I think people are just tired of sitting at home and they want to do something, everyone’s saying they’re going to get out and do something, even if they just stay home and dress up, they’re doing something,” Watson said.
READ MORE: City Of Bloomington Sets No Official Halloween Plans
She thinks having college students in Bloomington has helped adult costume sales at the store. The most popular adult costumes this year are Joe Exotic and his tiger from the Netflix show Tiger King.
Although Campus Costume doesn’t sell yard decorations, Watson says many customers plan to go all out this year.
“I have had a lot of people say that they are — they usually do things anyway but they’re like trying to go above and beyond to kind of lift other people’s spirits and they’re own," she said. "Spirits, Halloween, no pun intended there."
Although Bloomington is not banning festivities, the city is not setting official trick-or-treat times for Halloween this year. The CDC recommends low-risk activities like carving pumpkins, having virtual costume parties and leaving bowls of candy out for trick-or-treaters instead of handing out candy personally.
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