Fun examples of how small businesses are celebrating halloween

Bars & Restaurants

It just wouldn’t be Halloween without indulging in some tasty treats. That’s why bars and restaurants across the nation are offering themed food and drinks to engage customers in the month of October. Back Table Kitchen & Bar in Houston, Texas, has a range of Halloween-themed cocktails throughout the month of October, from the Skeleton Shake to the Witches Cauldron Martini. 

Other businesses are going the extra mile with themed events to draw customers in. Lonerider Brewery in Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting a themed costume contest with a twist. Their free Howl-o-ween Costume Contest is open to all dog owners and their costumed pets, and the best dressed pup gets a prize.

Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/halloween-pumpkin-gourd-creepy-2870607/

Retail

For retailers, Halloween is a great opportunity to sell themed goods. or promote your products with special offers.  Books Around The Corner in Gresham, Oregon is a new bookstore focussed on everything horror, fantasy and mystery. To celebrate their new opening, the store is going all out with a Halloween opening celebration on October 30th, including a virtual pumpkin carving contest for those who can’t be there in person. The decorations, including life-size skeletons and taxidermied rats, will stay up year round.

Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/10/its-now-halloween-all-year-long-at-gresham-bookstores-new-location.html 

Of course, you don’t have to sell spooky products to get into the spirit of the season. Businesses of all kinds in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine are opening their doors to trick-or-treaters on October 29th, with the hope that the candy will entice customers to stick around to look at their other products. Meanwhile, over in York County, Maine, Weirs GMC is running a Trunk or Treat event. Local business owners in York County are encouraged to dress up their cars and fill their trunks with candy for local trick-or-treaters.

Healthcare

Of course, the past 18 months have been particularly difficult on the healthcare sector. So this Halloween, a few hospitals and nursing homes are letting their hair down to send a message that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Here’s a heartwarming photo of the Rehab Team at Foothills in Tucson, Arizona, who have taken in the holiday spirit by dressing up as Minions.

Source: https://foothillsrehabcenter.com/our-rehab-team-aka-minions-dress-up-for-halloween/ 

Seasonal businesses

Halloween is a great opportunity for pop-up businesses and seasonal ventures to engage customers with unique offerings and special events.

If you’re out in the country, take a look at your local farms to find pop-up pumpkin patches like Tigges Farm in Greeley, Colorado, or the Equinox Valley Nursery in Manchester, Vermont, who transform their fields into the perfect Halloween playground throughout October and even November. Some farms are even going the extra mile with their amazing corn mazes. Check out USA Today’s ranking of the top 10 in the country, led by Devine’s in Harrodsburg, Kentucky and Treworgy Family Orchards in Levant, Maine.

Photo by Anderson Schmig on Unsplash

Haunted houses have been a staple of the season for generations, but in the current climate some are reluctant to join the indoor gatherings, even if they are in a mask. In Olmsted Falls, Ohio, the local township had the unique, COVID-friendly idea of organising a drive-thru - or, as they call it, a Boo-Thru - haunted house. The drive-thru hands out treats and refreshments, as well as safety tips from the local fire department. 

Source: https://www.cleveland.com/community/2021/10/halloween-drive-thru-brings-smiles-to-trick-and-treaters-olmsted-dates-and-data.html 

The Takeaway

Whatever the nature of your business, make sure you get creative this Halloween. Think about how you can make the most of this spooktacular time to promote your business and reward your customers for a difficult year and a half.