Halloween Guide Spooky shops for all your Halloween needs

Halloween demands so little of us, really. No embarrassing exchange of last-minute gifts come Oct. 31, no obligatory time with alleged loved ones, no guilt-trips. Except one: After all Halloween’s done for you (the thrills! the cavities!), you owe it to the holiday to put together a killer costume (or, if you like, the costume of a killer). The A.V. Club scoured the Twin Cities and found a handful of crème-de-la-crème shops for superior, one-of-a-kind Halloween gear.

Twin Cities Magic & Costume Co.
250 E. Seventh St., St. Paul, 651-227-7888
Twin Cities Magic & Costume Co. is like the fast food of costume shops—walk in, choose from a vast selection of bagged, prefabricated options, and walk out satisfied, albeit a little sheepish. The people at TCMC don’t judge when you opt for a ready-made ensemble or one of their thousands of masks, but they’re also incredibly helpful if you have a change of heart and decide to put some sweat and fake blood into your Halloween look, aided by a giant collection of makeup, something called a “bruise wheel,” long displays of hilarious mustaches, shoes, gloves, boas, and more than 15,000 wigs. If you’re in the market for really outdoing your friends, invest in a costume for your pet (yep), or blow hundreds on a fog machine, bubble machine, or fire effects. For those struggling with fear of commitment, there’s a giant back room holding more than 4,000 costumes for rent.

Tatters
2928 Lyndale Ave. S, 612-823-5285
Tatters is cowboy boot, belt, and hat heaven, not to mention vest paradise, leather-jacket dreamland, and military-surplus purgatory. An exceptionally organized, well-stocked, and hygienic secondhand clothing store, this hipster magnet has you covered for a wide range of Halloween makeovers. Mobster shoes, army boots, and Doc Martens line the shelves in bulk, increasing your chances of finding the right size at discount price. You’ll also discover a rainbow of go-go boots, cases of cool vintage shades, and some of the craziest early-’90 pants you’ve ever laid eyes on. Given the store’s record-breaking amount of butt-tight leather and retro band T-shirts, Tatters carries somewhat of a rock ’n’ roll reputation, which means it also carries plenty of sweet wigs and accessories. For something a little more professional, visit Sunny’s Discount Beauty Supply, a wig, extension, and cosmetics specialty store just two doors down (2938 Lyndale Ave. S., (612) 821-0580). Still not satisfied with your look? Consider plastic surgery.

Ax-Man Surplus
1639 University Ave., St. Paul, 651-646-8653; 1021 East Moore Lake Dr., Fridley, 763-572-3730; 8008 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-935-2210; 6600 Bass Lake Rd., Crystal
A longtime favorite among creative types, handypersons, and good old-fashioned weirdoes, Ax-Man is king among surplus stores, reigning supreme with all shades of strange and spooky decoration finds, from old EKG machines to gasmasks, stoplights, and the occasional artillery shell or torpedo. Don’t forget to stock up on assorted plastic body parts, faceless mannequins, and police tape. Later, browse the complete buffet of nuts, bolts, planks, scarps, and odd parts to help you piece together your Halloween design.

Via’s Vintage Wear
2408 Hennepin Ave., 612-374-3649
With an amazing collection of clothes that time forgot, Via’s Vintage in Uptown is your best bet for period-piece essentials. Alongside knickerbockers, classic riding breeches, and 4-inch-thick glasses, you’ll also find intricate flapper hats, fedoras, and bonnets. Save yourself the hassle of rental, because it doesn’t get more authentic than this place. Via’s is very selective when it comes to high-quality, unique (and at times bizarre) merchandise, so chances are you’ll actually want to keep the vintage cufflinks or puffy shirt you pick up for your costume. The staff is friendly and eager to explain some of the more unusual products (are these ankle corsets?). For extravagant outfits involving dead animals—think mink coats—expect to shell out more kopeks than you would at the local Party America. That’s the price you pay for going as “Someone About To Get Spray Painted” for Halloween, though.

Eagle Magic And Joke Store
11995 County Rd. 11, Burnsville, 612-333-4702
For the “trick” component of the Halloween equation, turn to Eagle Magic And Joke Store, which prides itself on being the country’s oldest magic shop. (Though it's in a new space now, having relocated from its downtown Minneapolis base.) Hundreds of props, illusions, comedy kits, how-to books, party supplies, accessories, and gag gifts have stuffed the shelves since 1900. With some patience, you can excavate the kind of retro find that will not only wow everyone at your Halloween party, but also the guys from Antiques Roadshow. Or, just stick to basics and browse costumes, masks, and the store’s impressive collection of fake bodily waste. Owner Larry Kahlow, a magic historian, lecturer, and performer, is more than happy to tell the stories behind the magic memorabilia and collectible posters lining the walls; he’ll even talk shop, engage in some celebrity gossip, magician-style, and perform awesome magic tricks. But feel free to bypass the rich history and art of magic and go straight for the whoopee cushions.

The Halloween Shop
2741 Hennepin Ave S, 952-807-3897
As you can tell from the name, The Halloween Shop doesn’t mess around with any other opportunities to play dress-up, so much so that it will close its doors on the night of Oct. 31 and disguise itself as a different store for almost a year. For those interested in a custom costume, the place is stocked with wigs from various veins of pop culture, makeup, boots, masks, and faux-dangerous props. The enormous pre-made costume selection—with everything from the grisly undead to a giant bottle of tequila—centers on outfits for adults (in every sense of the word). Festive décor and costumes for children are also present but limited; the shop's offerings are more appropriate for that period after the kids have slipped into their candy comas and you’re looking to ignite the imagination of that special someone. Or maybe you’ve just always identified as a sexy court jester and Halloween is your chance to let you be you.