With glittery masks, vibrant nylons, crazy wigs and a variety of costume makeup, Karrie Verhulst has prepared her store, Karries Kostumes, for the Halloween season. The local costume store, however, is half the size it used to be pre-pandemic.
“We used to be able to have two tills running and people just floating around. We won’t be able to have that now, because of COVID. We can only have so many (people) in,” explained Verhulst.
Verhulst said sales have been down this year due to the pandemic and that limited try-ons have also affected the business in terms of the customer experience. In the past, customers would be able to have mini dress-up parties, choosing what Halloween look best suited them before making their purchase.
“That’s what’s fun about the costume shop, and people wanna have fun and do something. We haven’t done anything for months,” said Verhulst.
Fun is not out of the question, however. Verhulst has come up with a few mask-friendly ways to dress up, like wearing costume eye contacts and matching eye and mouth masks. She also says that, through social media, she has seen some creative posts shared by residents. Verhulst explains some customers have come in to purchase costumes for themed parties they plan on having with their cohorts.
“I think it’s one of the holidays we can do safely because you’re just gonna have your close friends,” said Verhulst.
Earlier in October, Alberta Health released guidelines recommending some ways family and friends can celebrate Halloween safely. The guidelines suggest using tongs, candy slides or a safe candy catapult, encouraging creativity when it comes to handing out candy this year.
Indoor trick-or-treating has been a staple for years at the St. Albert Centre mall, bringing in around 1,000 kids and their guardians and leaving the hallways packed for two hours on Halloween night. That kind of crowd won’t be safe due to COVID-19 this year, so mall officials have taken to social media in order to share their Halloween spirit with a contest: “Halloween Blast From the Past”.
“We are inviting our community to show us their Halloween costumes by sharing a picture in the comments on our Facebook post or by simply using the hashtag #STAHalloweenRewind on Instagram,” said St. Albert Centre General Manager, Jillian Creech, through email last week.
The online contest began Oct. 16 and continues until Oct. 26. Creech says the theme plays homage to the past since this year is St. Albert Centre’s 40th anniversary. Creech is eager to see all the different ways St. Albert residents will be celebrating this year.
“St. Albert is such a fantastic community-focused city, so it’s not a surprise that many not-for-profits and community groups are promoting fun Halloween options that adhere to Alberta Health guidelines,” said Creech.
“My personal favourite is how I think many will be celebrating – outside in their neighbourhoods. Hopefully the weather co-operates. I’m excited to see the creative ‘candy slides’ or other ways that folks will be festively participating at a distance.”
