Horrors! Halloween Adventure set
to close its doors after 40 years
Ed Frischkorn brought a bounty of bags for one last shopping spree.
BY DEAN MOSES
The infamous Halloween Adventure
located at 104 4th Avenue faces its
biggest fear after opening its spooky
doors 40 years ago — store closure.
For many, Halloween Adventure is more
than a mere costume store. It has served as
the launchpad for countless fond memories.
It was the place where a teen purchased a
costume, which led to them meeting their
signifi cant other at a friend’s party. It was
where groups found their wacky headgear
before partaking in the iconic Polar Bear
Plunge in Coney Island. It was also a wealth
of costume ideas for marchers in New York
City’s pride parade. Whatever brought
people to the Halloween Adventure, it
was not just for the scary holiday, instead
becoming a one-stop shop of party favors
for locals and tourists alike for nearly four
decades.
Unfortunately, the iconic East Village
store will not be seeing its half-century anniversary.
Store executives have confi rmed
that the 104 4th Ave location will be closing
its doors permanently, most likely at the
end of February. This news is heartbreaking
to shoppers, workers, and those who
simply know it as a community staple.
The loss of Halloween Adventure is
more than just the end of a novelty shop,
for Ed Frischkorn it is where he could
purchase obscure materials for his class
projects at the New York Institute of Art
and Design.
“It was my place to go all year-round
whenever I needed it. Most of my projects
were Halloween themed, so it fi t perfectly,”
PHOTOS BY DEAN MOSES
Frischkorn said, after trekking from New
Jersey just to purchase items at Halloween
Adventure one last time.
With several tote bags in hand, Frischkorn
is hopeful that Halloween Adventure
will continue in some small way, maybe
as a pop-up shop or at a smaller location.
“It’s sad, there is no place like it. It’s one of
the last,” he said looking into the outlet’s
windows fondly.
The store became famous thanks to
its two-fl oors of wall-to-wall displays,
reaching from fl oor to ceiling, creating a
creepy wonderland for shoppers. Gigantic,
human-sized models like Star Wars villains
Darth Vader and his minion stormtroopers
stand guard while emblematic superheroes
such as Superman watch out for truth and
justice. Adorning the storefront’s windows
and shadowy innards, these fi gures made
the shop a household name. Even a gargoyle
watches shoppers descend to the basement
fl oor where even more elaborate costumes
can be found.
Now, much of that eerie atmosphere
has slowly begun to vanish, replaced by
advertisements for a big blowout sale,
75% off everything in the store. Over the
many years, visitors could easily purchase
fan-favorite memorabilia, such as Harry
Potter wands and toys, while independent
fi lmmakers could score facial glue, plaster,
and synthetic makeup. Some would even
use it as a scenic shortcut between 4th Avenue
and Broadway. But even that has now
ended with the 4th Avenue entrance closed.
The oddities found within Halloween
Adventure were always the perfect talking
point for Jim Byerley, who often brought
tourists and friends from out of town to
the shop.
“It’s a wonderful place to just walk
through. I’m very disturbed that they are
not going to be around anymore. I love
dressing up. This is like the place to come.
It’s very sad to see this,” Byerley said.
Byerley has lived in the neighborhood
for over 30 years, and was surprised when
he learned about the closure from a friend.
“Their windows are always fabulous! They
have the most fantastic selection. This is
home, it’s in the neighborhood,” Byerley
said solemnly.
Vito Guttilla enjoys donning a Ghostbuster
costume and searching the shop for
ghosts, making staff and customers laugh.
After developing close friendships at Halloween
Adventure, Guttilla is heartbroken
that a vestige of his past has been another
casualty of the pandemic.
“It’s a shame after everything that has
happened they have to go out like this. This
is a big chunk of the Village, they support
pride parades, Halloween parades, Santa
Con, New Years, and just general holidays,”
said Guttilla.
A life-sized superman model found in-store.
Ana Daratany actually worked at the
shop many decades ago, and was astounded
to learn of its closure. With the indefi nite
cancellation of parades and other highvolume
events, much of the profi ts the
Halloween Adventure shop would obtain
also ceased.
Daratany recalls the packed lines during
seasonal pastimes, such as the mermaid
parade, where hordes of shoppers would
purchase wigs, fi ns, and even a trident.
“This was like mermaid central in June!
It’s where you get your fangs sharpened,”
Daratany said.
Both Daratany and Guttilla are devastated
by the loss of this site, sharing that
it’s more than the spirit of Halloween, it’s
the spirit of the East Village.
A stormtrooper stands guard.
Schneps Media January 14, 2021 3