Part of a former Sears department store now comes alive with Halloween masks, spooky props, and life-size animatronics. Household appliances have given way to costumes and creepy decorations.
Costumes, wigs, and creepy decor fill the space instead.
I love that a department store famous for washers and power tools now hosts monsters. The old Sears here closed back in 2018.
Every fall, the empty space wakes up again with a very different personality.
This New Jersey pop-up stocks officially licensed gear from Spider-Man to Five Nights at Freddy’s. Aisles are labeled by theme and license, so hunting down the right outfit feels less chaotic.
I believe that matters when half your family wants to be SpongeBob.
The store only sticks around for spooky season, though. So how much Halloween can one former department store really hold?
A Department Store Just Swapped Washers For Werewolves
Sears once sold lawn mowers and refrigerators in this exact space. Now Spirit Halloween fills it with masks, makeup, and things that move when you least expect it.
The Sears at Quaker Bridge Mall closed its doors by early September 2018. That left a giant empty footprint that seemed made for a seasonal takeover.
Spirit Halloween stepped in and gave the old store a spooky second act.
I like the irony here a lot. A brand built on practical household goods gave way to rubber zombies and glowing skulls.
It’s a fun reminder that big empty stores don’t always stay sad and quiet.
The size is the real story. Most Halloween pop-ups squeeze into a former mattress shop or small strip-mall unit.
A former department store offers far more room for displays, aisles, and full-size props.
That extra space changes how shopping feels. You get room to wander without bumping into a hanging skeleton every few steps.
Larger props also have space to stand out instead of being crammed into corners.
So the next time someone mentions the old Sears, you can share the update. It’s still a store, just a much creepier one now.
Find It Fast Inside The Quaker Bridge Mall
Getting here is easier than escaping a haunted house. The store sits at 3300 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrence Township, NJ 08648, inside the Quaker Bridge Mall.
That mall setting is a big plus. You can grab costume pieces, then handle other errands in the same trip.
Parents juggling school drop-offs and soccer practice will appreciate fewer stops.
Lawrence Township sits in Mercer County, right between Trenton and Princeton. That central spot makes the store reachable for plenty of families across central New Jersey.
It’s a handy halfway point for friends coming from different towns.
A quick tip helps here. Spirit Halloween runs more than one store in the area, so double-check which location you want before you head out.
Typing the full Brunswick Avenue address into your map app keeps things simple.
Look for the former Sears space when you arrive. The Halloween branding makes it hard to miss once you spot it.
Honestly, a giant orange sign on an old department store is basically a lighthouse for costume shoppers.
Plan your route, grab your list, and bring a bag. You’ll probably leave with more than you planned.
The Animatronics Up Front Do Not Play Around
Life-size monsters greet shoppers near the entrance. Spirit Halloween is famous for its animatronics, and this location puts some big ones front and center.
These figures can move, light up, and make sounds. That’s the whole point, of course.
They’re built to give your front yard or porch a real jolt of fright.
Fans of serious scares will love browsing them. Seeing a prop in person helps you judge its height, motion, and overall creep factor.
A photo online just can’t match that.
Little ones may feel differently, though. Big scary figures right inside the door can be a lot for younger kids.
If your crew startles easily, give them a heads-up before you step in.
Some families might even split up for a few minutes. One adult checks out the scary stuff while another heads straight for the kids costumes.
Teamwork makes spooky season run smoother.
For teens and adults, this area is half the fun. Plenty of people stop by just to test which prop makes them jump.
Just remember the rule of any good haunted display. The quiet one is usually the one that moves.
Your Favorite Characters Probably Have A Costume Here
Spider-Man, Harry Potter, and SpongeBob SquarePants all share shelf space here. Spirit Halloween is known for officially licensed costumes, which means the characters look the way fans expect.
The lineup covers a wide range of tastes. Kids might grab Lilo and Stitch gear.
Older fans may go hunting for Five Nights at Freddy’s or even Terrifier items.
Licensed costumes save a lot of guesswork. You don’t have to wonder if that knockoff wizard robe looks close enough.
The details tend to match the movies, shows, and games people already love.
Group costumes get easier too. A family can pick one theme and find matching pieces in the same store.
Imagine a whole house of Hogwarts students knocking on doors together.
My advice is to shop early if you have your heart set on one character. Popular costumes can sell out as Halloween gets closer, especially in common sizes.
Waiting until the last weekend is a gamble.
Also, check every package before you leave the register. Sales can be final, so make sure all the pieces are there.
A superhero missing a mask is just a person in pajamas.
Wigs, Masks, And Makeup Finish The Look
A costume without accessories is like a pumpkin without a face. Spirit Halloween stocks wigs, hats, masks, shoes, and makeup to pull every outfit together.
These extras matter more than people think. A simple black outfit becomes a witch with the right hat.
Add face paint, and suddenly you’re a zombie, a skeleton, or a creepy clown.
DIY costume fans should spend real time in these sections. You can build something original without buying a full packaged costume.
That’s a great move if you already own clothes that fit the idea.
Masks come in plenty of styles too. Some are silly, and some look like they belong in a horror film.
Pick based on who will see it, since grandma may prefer the silly one.
Makeup is worth a test run at home. Try it a few days before Halloween so you know how it looks and feels.
That also gives you time to fix any surprises.
Shoes often get forgotten until the last minute. Grab them here and finish the look properly.
Nobody believes the pirate captain wearing bright running sneakers.
Turn Your House Into The Spookiest On The Block
Costumes only cover one night. Decorations can creep out the whole neighborhood for weeks, and this store carries plenty of them.
Spirit Halloween sells both indoor and outdoor decor. That means you can dress up the front lawn and the living room on the same trip.
Think tombstones, skeletons, and frightening props that set the mood fast.
Start with a plan before you shop. Measure your porch or yard so you know how much space you really have.
Big props look amazing in a store but can swallow a small front step.
Mixing scary and fun pieces works well for many homes. Trick-or-treaters of all ages pass by, after all.
A spooky display with a friendly pumpkin or two keeps younger visitors brave enough to ring the bell.
Indoor pieces can turn a party into an event. Table decor and smaller props add atmosphere without taking over the room.
Your guests will notice the effort right away.
Storage is the final thing to consider. Many decorations get used year after year, so keep boxes handy.
Next October, you’ll thank yourself for not tossing that giant spider in a closet pile.
Labeled Aisles Keep The Chaos Under Control
Good news for anyone who hates wandering. Spirit Halloween labels its aisles and corners by theme, product type, and license.
That system helps a lot in a store this size. Instead of searching every shelf, you can head straight for the section you need.
Looking for a princess costume? Follow the signs instead of guessing.
Families benefit the most here. Kids can find their favorite characters faster, which means fewer meltdowns.
Adults can split up and meet back once everyone has their pick.
A smart approach is to make a short list first. Write down each person’s costume idea and any extras they need.
Then map your path through the labeled areas.
The organization also makes browsing more fun. You can explore one theme at a time, like horror or superheroes, without everything blending together.
It feels a little like a themed tour.
Of course, a few surprise finds always happen. You might come in for a wig and leave with a glowing skull.
That’s not a flaw in the system, just the magic of Halloween shopping.
Early Birds Get The Best Costume Picks
Mornings start early here during the season. The store opens at 8 AM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 9 AM on Sundays and Monday through Thursday.
Evening hours stretch late too. Some nights run until 11 pm, which helps anyone shopping after work or school.
Sunday wraps up a bit earlier, so plan accordingly.
Hours can shift as the season moves along. Check the latest schedule before you go, especially near Halloween.
A quick look saves you from facing a locked door.
Timing your visit matters. Weekday mornings are often a calmer choice for a relaxed shopping trip.
Weekend afternoons close to Halloween can get crowded, with longer checkout lines.
Bring patience if you do go during peak times. Grab everything on your list before you hop in line.
Running back for a forgotten mask is no fun.
Also, keep your receipt safe. Return rules can be strict at seasonal stores, and proof of purchase matters.
Snap a photo of it if you tend to lose paper slips. Halloween is spooky enough without a mystery about missing receipts.
Catch It Before The Ghosts Pack Up For The Year
Blink, and it vanishes. Spirit Halloween is a seasonal pop-up, so this location only opens its doors for spooky season.
That limited run adds to the excitement. Plenty of New Jersey families look forward to its return each fall.
The store has popped up in this former Sears space across multiple seasons.
I can’t imagine a better use for a big empty store each autumn. It brings energy back to a quiet space and gives shoppers a one-stop Halloween headquarters.
Even just browsing can put you in the mood.
Fair warning about the atmosphere, though. The music inside can be loud, which is part of the spooky vibe for some people.
If you prefer quiet, consider bringing earbuds or keeping your trip short.
The store usually wraps up shortly after Halloween. Any last-minute decor deals tend to come and go fast.
After that, the space goes back to waiting for next year.
So mark your calendar early. Gather your costume ideas, measure your porch, and plan a trip.
This Lawrence Township spot proves an old Sears can still deliver plenty of surprises.
