Halloween Sales | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 10/29/2012

With Halloween coming up, businesses around Minot are gearing up for last minute Halloween sales. According to industry research firm IBIS World, Halloween spending is expected to be up from last year.

The sounds of candy wrappers means Halloween is approaching, but that was not the case last year.

"Last year at this time a lot of people were out of their homes and they didn`t even have homes to trick or treat to." said K-Mart store manager, Mike Wilson.

A year later, most Minot residents have settled back into their homes and are gearing up for the holiday.

"I know the people are doing the rebuild process, I think more of the town is opening up now so there is more for the kids to do," said resident Chris Young.

With the booming economy, larger budgets are allowing for store bought costumes instead of do-it-yourself alternatives that were popular during the recession.

"And people did not flinch, they want the full costume and it`s not anything to spend like a $150 on average ticket item, to walk out here in a full costume from top to bottom," said Fiance owner Debbie Harris.

Regardless of the price tag some feel it`s a way of masking the memories of the flood.

"I think our better future is ahead of us and I think we can start putting the flood behind us little by little and sometimes, ya know, we need to mask that pain and do something positive energy for ourselves," said Harris.

With the flood behind, most residents are looking forward to a sweet Halloween.

The IBIS World study says halloween spending will reach a record eight billion dollars this year.

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