It's Less Spooky for Our Community
When You Shop Local

When you think of a growing economy, images of small businesses opened up by local citizens may pop up in your mind. They may not seem like much, but small businesses are places where both goods and value can be found, along with comfort and security. The mall and other chain stores may be your go-to for your shopping needs, but small businesses can offer a little bit more, not just in the products they offer, but their impact as well.

Why Shop Small?

Small businesses have a novel appeal to them. They are not simply a big brand store looking to sell you a product. They are the way your parent, neighbor, or friend may make a living. They provide a more personal and hands-on customer service experience, helping to answer your questions quickly and directly, while also working with you to help provide exactly what you need. This direct customer service helps to develop trust between consumer and owner; something that you could not get from a larger retailer [1].

The benefit for shopping small is also mutual support. When you shop from a small business, it profits the community. Small businesses are a source of local jobs. In fact, ⅔ of new jobs created in the United States are from small businesses [3]. For many of us, including myself, our very first job was with a small business. The dream of one entrepreneur then goes to help and provide for the goals of another. Along with providing jobs, money that is spent at a small, local business is money that stays within the community.

According to a Civics Economic Study in Grand Rapids, Michigan, if you spend $100 at a small business, $68 stays in the local economy. Compare this to spending at a large retail chain, and you will find that only $43 stays within the local community[6]. Small business owners, a little over 90% of them, are also more involved with the community, volunteering and donating to local events and even operating as members of the city board or local government[2].

Additionally, small businesses add a vibrant and diverse nature to their community. Imagine if all your neighborhood restaurants, salons, pet stores, bakeries, and clothing shops suddenly disappeared? Your city would be empty and dull, and you would have to make much farther and inconvenient trips for your goods. Then, if you are looking for something in particular, you might have to deal with the wait and shipping costs of online shopping. Which can be helpful, but is not always really fun or convenient. 

Small businesses not only add to a community but shape it. The American Dream is founded on the backs of small business owners. With so many different people migrating to America and out west, we saw whole towns grow. Places like Little Tokyo in Los Angeles and Little Italy in San Diego have been defined by their cultural businesses that bring bits of the world next door. Small businesses can also be niche and specialty shops, like the Halloween Club where we offer goods that cannot be found commonly elsewhere. A selective and more targeted collection of merchandise could ease those looking to find particular goods that cannot be found anywhere else[4].

Aside from just morbid interest alone, there are also events going on all year round that may require a costume or two for the common individual. If you need a Santa suit for Christmas, a mask for Mardi Gras, or materials to help build your cosplay for the next convention, Halloween Club has its doors open daily. From fangs and colorful wigs to decorative furnishings and nerdy accessories, Halloween Club has a little something for everyone.

Halloween is a beloved holiday for many, and maybe our seasonal tastes are a bit out of the ordinary, but there’s nothing wrong with indulging yourself and fulfilling your inner scream queen or horror fanatic by shopping small at businesses like Halloween Club, you may find some fantastic treasures, and you’ll also be doing some good.

Our annual Spook Show celebrates Halloween, but also highlights local businesses. Spook Show started with a simple mission: facilitate an outdoor gathering where local Southern Californian businesses and fellow enthusiasts may come to share their penchant for the macabre and support the local community. This Halloween festival features over 100 curated local vendors, artists, collectors, teachers, spook-makers, spookipreneurs, musicians for like-minded Halloween enthusiasts.
  

If you’re looking for something in particular or just want a sneak peek at what Halloween Club has to offer, take a look at our online catalog which features a little something for everyone. Since the site is catalog only, it’s a good idea to prepare a shopping list before visiting our retail stores. Count on Halloween Club for your daily horror fix.

Click to get directions to your local Halloween Club here.

ABOUT THE HALLOWEEN CLUB

Dubbed Southern California’s favorite Halloween year-round costume super store, the Halloween Club has been spooking for over 30 years. Step foot inside one of our year warehouse and you’ll find an impressive collection of Halloween costumes, accessories and decoration merchandise. Visitors are now friends, some friends are now family and the popularity of being a Halloween enthusiasts continues as an exponentially growing phenomenon. Generations of satisfied guests have moved zip codes but trek their way back to the Halloween Club. Why? Word on the street is Halloween Club does Halloween right. Get Halloween Club costume superstore directions here: 

http://www.halloweenclub.com/Locations 

References:

1. Corkery, Colleen. “6 Big Reasons Why You Should Shop Small Every Day.” FiveStars INSIGHTS, Fivestars Loyalty, INC, 9 Dec. 2015, blog.fivestars.com/shop-small-businesses-every-day/.

2. Danner, Dan. “The top ten reasons to "shop small" on Small Business Saturday.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 29 Nov. 2013, www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/11/29/top-ten-reasons-to-shop-small-on-small-business-saturday.html.

3. Dennis, William J. “Contributions to Community.” NFIB: The Voice of Small Business - National Small Business Poll, National Federation of Independent Business, 2007, 411sbfacts.com/sbpoll.php?POLLID=0025&KT_back=1.

4. NerdWallet. “4 Reasons to Shop at Small Businesses This Holiday Season.” NerdWallet, NerdWallet, Inc., 23 Nov. 2016, www.nerdwallet.com/blog/small-business/five-reasons-shop-small-businesses-holiday/.

5. “Promote Your Business.” FAQs for Small Business Saturday - American Express, American Express, www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/faqs. Accessed November 16, 2017.