Christmas is canceled: Spirit Halloween no longer opening spinoff store in Albany

Sorry, holiday shoppers: Christmas is canceled.

Spirit Halloween is no longer planning to open one of its spinoff holiday stores, “Spirit Christmas,” in Albany. The popular seasonal chain said earlier this month it would open Spirit Christmas locations in Upstate New York at the Colonie Center near Albany and the Chestnut Plaza in Poughkeepsie, but the Colonie location has since been removed from the company website.

“Based on the initial positive reaction to our Spirit Christmas test, we have made the difficult decision to adjust the store count from 10 to 8 locations. We know that this is disappointing to the Albany community, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience,” the company said in a statement to the Times Union.

Spirit Halloween originally said it would open 10 Spirit Christmas stores, including three in New York state. Only eight total stores will still be happening, including the Poughkeepsie location and a Long Island shop at the Sayville Plaza in Bohemia, Suffolk County.

Both the Poughkeepsie and Bohemia locations are currently Spirit Halloween stores that will be converted to Spirit Christmas after Halloween this week.

Spirit Halloween, owned by Spencer Gifts, is a seasonal retail chain known for filling vacant storefronts every September and October since 1983. The pop-up shops feature Halloween costumes (sometimes as generic versions of popular characters), makeup, accessories, decorations, and spooky extras like glow sticks, fake blood and trick-or-treat bags.

According to its website, Spirit Christmas is a new concept that will feature stocking stuffers, holiday apparel, fun gifts, and décor, “plus all the special trimmings for creating an unforgettable Christmas.” Customers can also book a visit with Santa Claus in advance.

Spirit Christmas stores opening in New York state:

• Bohemia: Sayville Plaza – 5181 Sunrise Highway, Bohemia, N.Y.
• Poughkeepsie: Chestnut Plaza – 2020 South Road, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

For more info, visit spirithalloween.com/content.jsp?pageName=spiritchristmas.

MORE:

Halloween events and haunted houses in Syracuse, Central NY: Scary fun things to do

‘Christmas Vacation’ reunion: New holiday movie to premiere in Central NY

USPS announces 2024 holiday shipping deadlines, and they’re sooner than you think