Spirit Halloween’s 2023 Opening Display. Spirit Halloween is a very successful Halloween store, and has been around for many years. Dawn Riggle, a manager at Spirit Halloween, helped put together the displays shown above and to the left. “I like helping people make their costumes,” Riggle said.

Halloween lovers have been supporting Spirit Halloween for the past twelve years. It is one of the largest Halloween and costume stores in Bismarck, North Dakota. 

Spirit Halloween first opened in 2010.

“There are more people coming to Spirit Halloween now to shop vs in 2010,” store manager Dawn Riggle said. “We also used to have a Halloween Express in the Kirkwood Mall during the Halloween season, but they shut down.” 

Store employee, Jordan Heyd, says that he has been working at Spirit Halloween since 2012, but has visited the store since 2010. 

“I was very excited to see the animatronics and costumes,” Heyd said.  

Spirit Halloween has grown a lot since 2010, which used to be located in the (former Herberger’s) store in the Kirkwood Mall. 

“There are a ton of costumes, and set up is done at such a fast pace,” Riggle said. “Spirit Halloween also has a lot of things to set up including displays and shelves. There are usually around 10 animatronics to set up.”  

Back in 2010 when Spirit Halloween first opened, they had costumes, but not as many as they carry today. Spirit Halloween also had about 5 props in 2010.  Now, in 2023, there are 10 props and it takes up about half the store.

“To set Spirit Halloween up in 2010-2014,” Heyd said. “It would take about 10 days. You would have to cut, saw and measure everything. It was all made by hand.”

Spirit Halloweeen opened in the building next to Kirkwood Mall in 2010, which is now known as the “Petco” building.  That year it was also clown themed for the in-store display, which was like a clown carnival theme, with a lot of different props in it. 

“Today, Spirit Halloween has clippable shelves,” Heyd said. “So it only takes about 1-2 days to get them up. 

This year they are located in the former Bed Bath and Beyond store, up north next to Michaels.  Each year they expect more people will visit, and more people will buy things including – props, costumes, and accessories to go with any Halloween theme. 

“My favorite part about working is just getting to see all the happy customers and help people build their costumes,” Riggle said.