Halloween Express

Halloween Convert

I am not a big fan of Halloween. To be completely honest…I have been known to leave a bowl of candy and shut out all the lights pretending I’m not home just to avoid trick or treaters. However, in the spirit of NorthShoreInsider I decided to stretch and visit Halloween Express – a temporary store devoted to everything for the big day. .

Halloween Express has six locations throughout Illinois and one on the North Shore in Northbrook next to the PetSmart on Skokie Blvd. For two months – September and October Lance and his team set up shop and help outfit you and your kids and your home.

Naturally I had no interest in seeing a bunch of traditional witch costumes – so I asked Lance if he could give NorthShoreInsider.com his costume forecast for what are expected to be some of the hottest and most clever costumes of the season.

I was impressed. Not only does Halloween Express have all the regular costumes for you, the man in your life, kids and dog – they also carry a small selection of one-of-a kind higher end get ups, with shoes. If ease is costume strategy just go for one of those latex masks. They’re guaranteed to horrify.

If costumes aren’t your thing – no worries. You can fake your thrill by picking up a few home décor props to show some Halloween support – at least for your kids’ sake.

I didn’t fall for it yet… but I am certain that I will go back for the Medusa version of Mona Lisa. I was also partial to the hologram portraits, but have no problem with some of the simpler decorations like the hanging hairy spiders and glow in the dark skeletons for the door. If you’re a Halloween enthusiast and want to do it right – there’s an abundance of props for creating your own custom graveyard, plus soundtracks to maintain the mood.

Halloween Express blows Party City away but here’s the deal. If you and your kids want what you want – you have to go early…I mean now. According to Lance, the issue is not just about running out of your perfect costume – it’s about not having your size. Once October hits its frightening. Here are a few other insider tips Lance offered up:

Shop weekdays – weekend are a nightmare.
Don’t open any costumes with blood included in the house – otherwise you’re asking for a blood bath.
If you want to save the costume, save the bag and store immediately after the big nite.
If you do buy in advance and your child absolutely has to play with the costume you may want to buy a second “back up” costume because chances are the first one will be toast.

Halloween Express
307 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook
847-412-1520
www.HalloweenExpress.com

HOURS THROUGH NOV. 1st
Mon-Fri: 10am-9pm
Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 10am-6pm