Mr. Fun's toasts first Halloween since mainstay Cuyahoga Falls shop's move to Front Street
When people heard Mr. Fun's Costumes and Magic Emporium was moving from its expansive location on State Road in Cuyahoga Falls to a smaller space on Front Street, they had questions.
Meralie Pocock, who co-owns Mr. Fun's with her husband, Andy, said she wants to assure them this is not downsizing or a downgrade; it's quite the contrary.
"We've had our eye on this area," Pocock said of the Cuyahoga Falls Front Street corridor, which reopened to vehicular traffic about five years ago. "This has become the shopping district for the area."
Mr. Fun's has moved to the former O'Neil's building in a space once occupied by a gallery, Pocock said. It opened on Black Friday last year, so this will be the shop's first celebration of its most in-demand holiday at its new site.
"There is so much fun and excitement down here, and we want to be a part of it," Pocock said.
Pocock said the staff at Mr. Fun's is slowly working to clean out the former State Road location. The business, known for its costume sales and rentals, accessories, and novelty gift items, had occupied what was once a roller rink for about 20 years.
In its new location, Mr. Fun's has been able to participate in the city's frequent downtown events, such as the Irish Festival and Oktoberfest, said Hunter Riggs, the store's general manager.
The company has also been establishing ties with its new neighbors. Mr. Fun's will participate in Trick or Treat for dogs Oct. 19, a new event hosted by Morty's Munchies and Hope Soap. Both businesses are across the street from Mr. Fun's, which also carries costumes for canines.
With Halloween just around the corner, the store is parading out its costumes, accessories and even some spooky animatronics.
"It's been as much Halloween as we can fit," Riggs said.
Pocock said the new space is more accessible to customers — and a better fit for the operation overall.
The State Road location "was so cavernous," she said. "Things got lost. It's fun to hear people go through and 'ooh' and 'ahh' over things they may not have noticed before."
Riggs said customers should ask a staff member if they're having trouble finding an item — just because a costume isn't on the store rack doesn't mean it's not in stock.
"Want to dress up as Santa for Halloween? We've got that in the warehouse," he said.
What can we expect from Halloween this year?
This year's hottest costumes, Riggs predicted, will be inspired by the blockbuster "Barbie" movie and the animated sensation "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." Expect to see lots of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Super Mario costumes as well, he said.
Classic Halloween costumes such as Frankenstein's monster, mummies and Dracula will make their usual appearances along with the resurgent Sanderson sisters of "Hocus Pocus" fame.
Mr. Fun's is also mindful of customers' adaptability needs, Pocock said; those who use wheelchairs can also buy or rent costumes that are created with their wheelchair in mind.
Adding to the joy of celebrating Halloween in Mr. Fun's new home, Riggs said, is the feeling of a return to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic caused many celebrations to be canceled or scaled down from 2020 through 2022.
"I think people are really excited," he said.
Family friendly fun: Boo at the Zoo is coming up soon at the Akron Zoo. Here's what to know.
Haunted houses in Akron: List of Northeast Ohio haunted house openings for 2023
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mr. Fun's gears for a big Halloween at new home on Front Street
