Find a scary good deal on Halloween costumes and decor at one of these businesses in Pueblo

As temperatures start to dip and tree leaves begin changing colors, many Puebloans' thoughts begin creeping toward Halloween decorating, parties and trick-or-treating.

There are several options in Pueblo to shop for those highly anticipated Halloween decorations, costumes and must-have accessories, including seasonal pop-up Halloween stores and a couple of thrift stores with several spooky options.

"We have a ton of Halloween goodies — it's a really big selection," said Elaine Torres, Arc Thrift Store manager. "The most popular items are the decorations and the unique costumes."

Here's where thrifty Puebloans can grab their Halloween essentials

The Arc Thrift Stores are boasting "Colorado's largest Halloween selection," and Pueblo's store, located at 1115 S. Prairie Ave., is already getting into the Halloween spirit. Goodwill suggests a, "Hunt for the Haunt at Goodwill," and Pueblo's local store is located at 3610 Dillon Drive.

Just like a Rocky Horror Picture Show-inspired theme song, once you enter the Arc Thrift Store's front door, "It's just a jump to the left and then a step to the right," to find Halloween items if your budget is tight. But the wigs and accessories, the unique different things, will get you doing the Halloween warp again.

Hours at the Arc are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Arc hosts discount days on Mondays for military members, Tuesdays for seniors ages 55 and older, and runs half-price specials on Saturdays.

Since 1968, Arc Thrift Stores has done its part "to help make our state the best place to live and work" and is "one of Colorado’s largest employers of people with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and many other intellectual and developmental disabilities," according to its website, arcthrift.com.

At Goodwill, the store encourages do-it-yourself Halloween costumes which help with environmental sustainability. According to the Goodwill website, 83% of pre-packaged costumes are made of oil-based plastic materials, are designed for single use and are likely to end up in a landfill.

Those who go to Goodwill to create their own Halloween costumes can also do their Halloween shopping while knowing their "dollars help fund employment placement, job training, credentials, digital skills and other support services so that people in your community can tap into the power of work and improve their lives," according to the Goodwill website

Goodwill's hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Halloween Express is a locally owned option on Pueblo's northside

A local Halloween Express store is located at 220 W. 29th St. in the former Tuesday Morning building on Pueblo's northside.

The store's owners "have extra staff on board to help you out this Halloween season," according to the store's Facebook page. Offerings include comical decorations ranging from vultures to dog, cat or bird skeletons, as well as downright chilling items ranging from a bloody death bed to hair-raising masks.

The store also has Halloween party supplies and a large selection of Halloween animatronic displays. Hours at the Pueblo store are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Spirit Halloween has two Pueblo locations

In the true spirit of Dr. Frankenstein, Spirit Halloween brings to life former stores, reviving the shopping experience with Halloween-themed seasonal decorations and costumes. The stores also have animatronics, movies, games and even pet costumes.

There are two Spirit Halloween stores in Pueblo: one is located at the former Sears store at the Pueblo Mall, 3201 Dillon Drive, while the other is on Pueblo's south side at the former Family Dollar store at 2722 S. Prairie Ave.

In keeping with this year's Barbie craze sparked by the popular "Barbie" movie, Spirit Halloween offers adult and child Barbie and Ken doll costumes, some of which make the wearer appear to be inside a display box. The store also offers new merchandise for the 2023 Disney film, "Haunted Mansion," and classic Halloween staples such as Pennywise the clown, of Stephen King's "It" fame, and Addams Family merchandise.

You know the company is serious about the holiday when it has a daily countdown to Halloween on its website. For coupons go to spirithalloween.com.

Hours at both stores are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.