Oh, fall… how we love you here in Western New York. The leaves are starting to change, pumpkin spice has started invading our lattes, and overnight, closed and empty storefronts suddenly transform into Halloween havens. 

Yup, it’s that time of year when everywhere you look, Spirit Halloween opens up shop here in Buffalo and the surrounding areas. Abandoned retail locations all over Western New York have been magically filled with silly costumes and pumpkin paraphernalia. 

(We know Western New York isn’t alone in this– Spirit Halloween is so notorious for taking over closed shops, even SNL recently did a skit about it.) 

READ MORE: 8 New Halloween Candy Offerings You Need To Hand Out This Year

It happens every year– one second, we see a sad-looking and vacant storefront, and the next, we’re greeted with enough glowing skeletons, creepy costumes, and inflatable lawn ghosts and witches to start a haunted Buffalo army. 

Honestly, how do they turn it around so quickly? Does Spirit have some access to magical Halloween fairy dust that turns a former Rite-Aid employee into Freddy Krueger? Regardless, we’re glad these empty spaces in the area are getting some use. Halloween is big here in Buffalo, and we love to scour these pop-up Spirit Halloween shops for outlandish decorations and costumes that will win us a prize (or a ton of candy). 

READ MORE: These Are The Best Spooky Season Decorations In Buffalo

Whether you are fully embracing the spooky season here in Western New York, or you’re on the hunt for a last-minute costume for your friend’s Halloween party, Spirit Halloween is here to save the day this month. 

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But do you remember what these creepy, scary stores used to be before they turned into Spirit stores?

Here’s what used to occupy Spirit Halloween locations around Western New York. 

Do You Remember What These WNY Spirit Halloween Stores USED To Be?

Boy, things sure have changed - especially around Halloween!

Gallery Credit: YouTube/Google Maps

LOOK: Classic Halloween costumes from 1865 to today

Stacker scoured the archives to find 50 photos of Halloween costumes from 1865 to today.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

Boo-tiful DIY Halloween Decorations That'll Spook Up Your Space

Get into the spirit without spending a ton of money with these spook-tacular (and easy) DIY Halloween decor ideas.

Gallery Credit: Danielle Kootman

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