One family’s old five-and-dime grew so obsessed with Halloween that it now fills six shops on a single downtown street. That’s not a pop-up.
It’s a whole block wearing a costume.
The original store still has wood floors and bins of small toys and candy. Then the masks show up.
Rows and rows of them, some goofy and some truly unsettling, stare back from the walls.
I like how this place feels part old-time variety store and part haunted carnival. Ohio has plenty of fall fun.
Very little of it comes with a fortune-telling machine and a family story that spans generations.
I can’t imagine a better place to search for an unusual costume accessory or an old-fashioned novelty. What makes the experience especially memorable is seeing how one family’s small variety store grew into a Halloween tradition that now stretches across multiple storefronts.
A Humble Variety Store That Refused To Stay Ordinary
Foy’s Halloween and Variety Store started life as a classic five-and-dime in Fairborn, Ohio. It’s been run by the same family for generations, which is rare for any small shop.
The old variety store spirit is still easy to spot. You’ll find party supplies, school and office supplies, inexpensive costume jewelry, and plenty of quirky knickknacks.
Somewhere along the way, the family leaned hard into Halloween. That choice turned a neighborhood shop into a regional fall destination.
The original store didn’t vanish in the process. It simply picked up a spooky side hustle that kept growing.
Now the main store mixes everyday goods with masks, props, and novelty gadgets. One aisle might hold birthday candles, and the next might hold something with fangs.
I love that the business kept its roots instead of becoming a generic seasonal chain. Big Halloween stores pop up and pack away every year.
Foy’s stays put on Main Street all year long. That staying power is a big part of why so many families treat it as a tradition.
Here’s a smart move for first-timers. Start in the main store to get the feel of the place, then branch out to the other shops.
Give yourself time, because the aisles are packed. Rushing through Foy’s is like speed-reading a comic book collection.
Six Shops, One Street, Zero Chill About Halloween
Most towns get one Halloween store. Fairborn’s little downtown strip gets a whole lineup of Foy’s shops, each with its own focus.
The family runs several stores along Main Street during the season. Together they basically turn the block into a Halloween neighborhood.
Splitting things up makes shopping easier than you’d expect. Instead of one giant maze, you get shops built around costumes, masks, decorations, and more.
There’s even a costume store just for kids. That means little ones can browse without bumping into the scariest stuff right away.
Not every shop keeps the same schedule all year. Some open mainly during the Halloween season, so October is when the full lineup is easiest to catch.
That’s worth knowing before you plan a trip. Show up in spring and you’ll still have fun, but you’ll see a smaller slice of the operation.
Walking from shop to shop is part of the charm. The sidewalks feel like one long, spooky hallway connecting each themed room.
My advice is simple. Wear comfy shoes, bring a tote bag, and plan to visit every Foy’s door you see.
Skipping one might mean missing the exact mask or prop you didn’t know you needed. And yes, you will probably need it.
The Mask Collection Will Stare Right Back At You
Masks are a huge deal at Foy’s Halloween and Variety Store. Walls of rubber faces, monsters, and creepy characters make this part of the trip feel like a staring contest you can’t win.
The selection runs from silly to seriously spooky. You might grin at one mask, then turn around and meet something far less friendly.
That range is great for groups with mixed tastes. A brave teen and a nervous grandparent can both find something that fits their comfort level.
Still, younger kids may want a heads-up before entering. Some of these masks were clearly made to startle.
Planning a group costume? Masks are an easy shortcut, because one great face can carry an entire outfit.
Pair a mask with a simple hoodie or dark clothes, and you’re done. It’s a smart trick for anyone who wants big impact without sewing a single stitch.
Take a moment to try a few on if the shop allows it. Fit matters, especially if you plan to wear it for hours at a party.
Look closely at the details while you browse. Wrinkles, teeth, and eyeballs are where the best masks really show off.
Honestly, the mask wall alone could fill an afternoon. Just don’t be shocked if one of them follows you home.
Costume Hunting Gets Way Easier Here
Costume panic is real, especially a week before a party. Foy’s has racks of costumes for adults and kids, plus the accessories that pull a look together.
The kids’ costume shop is a big help for parents. Little ones get their own space, which keeps browsing fun instead of overwhelming.
Adults have plenty of choices too. Full costumes sit alongside wigs, hats, capes, and other add-ons that turn a basic idea into something memorable.
I like how this setup rewards creative thinking. You can buy a complete outfit or build one piece by piece.
Makeup is another handy option. A little face paint or theatrical makeup can fill in the gaps when your costume feels unfinished.
Here’s a practical tip for sizing. Bigger shirt sizes can run short during busy weeks, so shopping early gives you better odds.
Bring a rough idea before you arrive. With this much stuff around, a plan keeps you from leaving as a pirate-astronaut-vampire by accident.
Then again, maybe that’s a great costume. Foy’s makes odd combinations feel completely reasonable.
Leave a little room in the budget for extras. Small props like toy weapons, jewelry, or glasses are exactly the details people notice.
Your Front Porch Is About To Get Weird
Decorating for Halloween is half the fun for a lot of families. The Foy’s shops carry decorations and props that can push a plain porch into full haunted-house mode.
Expect plenty of classic pieces. Skeletons, spooky signs, and creepy accents fill shelves and corners all over the stores.
The props are also handy for parties. A few well-placed pieces can make a basement or backyard feel like a scene from a movie.
Start with one focal point and build from there. A single big prop by the door often looks better than a hundred tiny ones scattered around.
Party supplies help round things out. Plates, napkins, and themed table items mean you can grab décor and hosting basics in one trip.
That saves you a separate stop at a big-box store. It also keeps your party theme matching instead of random.
Measure your space before you shop. It’s easy to fall in love with something huge and realize it won’t fit through your front door.
Also think about storage after the season. Props are fun in October, but they need a home in November too.
Of course, some folks just keep the skeleton out all year. Nobody at Foy’s is going to judge you for that.
Candy Bins, Wood Floors, And A Fortune Teller
Wood floors set the tone in the main store before you even reach the masks. The old five-and-ten feel is still there, and it’s a big reason the place feels so nostalgic.
Bins of small toys and candy make kids light up. They’re perfect for little shoppers spending their own allowance money.
That kind of shopping teaches a sweet lesson. Kids get to compare, choose, and decide what’s worth a few coins.
Adults tend to enjoy the trip down memory lane too. Old-school novelty gadgets and trinkets feel like something from a childhood road trip.
Then there’s the Zoltar fortune-telling machine. Yes, the mechanical fortune teller you might remember from the movie Big.
Getting a fortune is a fun little ritual for any visit. It’s silly, it’s quick, and it makes a great photo moment if picture-taking is allowed in that spot.
The crowded aisles are part of the experience. Each turn seems to reveal something you missed the first time.
Slow down and actually look at the shelves. The weirdest finds are often hiding behind the ordinary ones.
For families, this store is a great warm-up. Kids get hooked on the treasure hunt before you head into the spookier shops.
October Turns Main Street Into A Costume Party
Every fall, Fairborn hosts a Halloween street fair right outside the Foy’s shops. It’s a big community event, and costumes are absolutely encouraged.
The fair usually brings food trucks, kids’ games, and fall craft vendors. It gives the whole downtown a festival mood for a weekend.
Timing matters here. The event typically lands in October, so check the date before planning your trip around it.
Arriving in the afternoon gives you time to shop before things get busier. Then you can enjoy the evening once the street fills with costumes.
Wearing a costume yourself is half the fun. You’ll blend right in with the witches, zombies, and superheroes strolling the block.
Families should plan a little extra. Bring snacks, layers for chilly Ohio evenings, and a meeting spot in case anyone wanders off.
The shops can get crowded during big weekends. Patience helps, and so does picking up your must-have items early in the day.
I love events like this because they feel truly local. Fairborn isn’t pretending to be a theme park.
It’s simply a town that decided Halloween deserves a whole street party. Hard to argue with that logic.
Plan Your Visit Like A Halloween Pro
Finding the main store is easy. Foy’s Halloween and Variety Store sits at 18 E Main St, Fairborn, OH 45324, right in the heart of downtown.
Opening hours vary between Foy’s locations, and the original variety store is generally listed as closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Other costume shops may follow different schedules, especially during Halloween season. Check the hours for each location before making the trip.
Weekday visits may feel calmer than weekend trips in October. That gives you room to browse those famously packed aisles.
Bring your patience along with your wallet. Narrow aisles and lots of merchandise mean everyone moves a little slower.
Online ordering isn’t really how Foy’s works. This is a come-in-person kind of store, and that’s part of the appeal.
Give yourself at least a couple of hours. Between the main store and the other shops, time disappears fast.
Be respectful about photos too. Some shops may limit picture-taking, so look for signs or ask staff.
Friendly service comes up again and again with this family business. Ask questions if you’re hunting for something specific.
Staff know these shelves better than any map ever could.
Easy Road Trip From Dayton, Worth Every Mile
Fairborn sits just outside Dayton, which makes Foy’s an easy day trip for much of southwest Ohio. It’s also close to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Wright State University.
That location means plenty of nearby fun. You can pair a Foy’s run with other stops around the Dayton area.
Aviation fans have an obvious option. The National Museum of the U.S.
Air Force is near Fairborn and makes a great add-on for curious families.
Families on longer road trips can work Foy’s in as a fun break. The shops are a memorable way to stretch your legs.
Visiting from out of state? Fall is a beautiful time to drive through Ohio, with changing leaves along the way.
Plan your route so you arrive with daylight to spare. Downtown is more fun when you can wander without racing a clock.
One family business, one street, and enough Halloween to last all year. That’s a trip story worth telling at your next costume party.
