Halloween Store Coming to Kinnelon

Ghouls and goblins will be able to get a head start on Halloween this month as Halloween City is moving in to a space in the Meadtown Shopping Center in Kinnelon.

The Halloween-themed store, which sells costumes, decorations and accessories, is temporarily leasing the space next to and will be open from Aug. 30 through Nov. 9. Halloween City is owned by parent company Party City.

Scott Yacker, a representative of Halloween City, appeared before the Kinnelon Planning Board Thursday to seek approval for a sign to be placed on the building above the storefront with the store's logo. The logo is bright orange with a Jack O'Lantern in between the words "Halloween" and "City."

Planning Board Member Tamara Roselius said the planning board's sign review committee considered the sign and, although the sign is inconsistent with other signs in the plaza, mostly because it will be orange and other signs are green, they recommended the sign be approved by the planning board.

The chloroplast sign, which the board ultimately unanimously approved, will not be illuminated.

The planning board also asked Yacker if the company would be interested in placing a sign on the plaza's pylon. If so, Roselius said, that sign would need to receive a separate approval from the sign review commitee and would need to be consistent with other store logos on the pylon, in that it would have to be green and the logo would have to be consistent with the other sizes.

"We have been very firm with consistency for that particular pylon," she said.

The board agreed that if the company decides to pursue signage on the pylon, unless they choose to simply hang a green banner below the pylon since it is a temporary store, the board would require a $500 escrow to ensure that the sign is taken down after the store leaves on Nov. 9. Yacker said that the company would likely agree to those terms and that he was grateful for the options the board presented. He said he will come back to the board with the company's decision after discussing it further with his managers.

Planning Board Chairman William Powell asked questions regarding the nature of the Halloween business the store brings in. Yacker said the Halloween market is so profitable, the company is able to employee over 100 people in his region year-round. Powell also asked if Party City would ever consider opening a store in Kinnelon.

"We do test markets," Yacker said. "Last year, 11 of our Halloween stores are now Party City stores."

Yacker said the company has often made decisions about where to open Party City stores based on the success of the Halloween City stores, although there is also a higher level of criteria for Party City. This criteria includes having 14,000 sq feet of space available, which the Meadtown space does not offer, although the company could consider occupying space elsewhere in the borough depending on the success.

Powell also asked if the compay planned to hire locally for the seasonal Halloween City.

"It's all going to be local, we want local people," Yacker responded.

Typically, about 10 to 15 people are employed at the store throughout the time it is setting up, opening and closing, Yacker said. This includes the positions of store manager and assistant store managers. Yacker said the company is now hiring for these, and other positions.

"We hope that you employee some of the people of the Borough of Kinnelon because that's what's important," Powell said. Yacker agreed that the company should hire local employees, but also said it is sometimes difficult to find local employees who would like to work in the store.

"As many people really need jobs, sometimes it's hard to find those people," he said.

Those interested in applying can send a letter of interest to bwilliams@halloweencity.com and reference "Store # 8262" in the subject line. Those who are interested in applying for a managerial position at the store should include their resumes in the email.

Only individuals 16 or older will be considered. Yacker said that while experience is favored, Halloween City does hire individuals without prior experience as well.