It might be a scary thought to some, but one 91原创 resident has voluntarily worked a second job during this time of year for the past nine years to celebrate her favourite spooky holiday.
Spirit Halloween 91原创 has seen a steady stream of visitors walk-through its doors since opening its Willowbrook pop-up in August, a likely result of pent-up demand from activities having been curbed last year due to concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19.
If you鈥檝e been a part of that group of costume-hunters who have stopped by the store the first to greet you might have been Vivian Gillard.
鈥淲elcome to Spirit!鈥
Gillard鈥檚 full-time career requires her to work at a desk and she doesn鈥檛 get to interact with people as much as she would like, so for 鈥榝un鈥 she works as a seasonal employee at Spirit Halloween 91原创.
鈥淭his is my moonlighting job,鈥 she laughed. 鈥淚 enjoy working with the public鈥 to work with families, children, adults and finding them their fun costume for Halloween. The smiles that I see every year 鈥 and even children who say, 鈥業 remember you from last night鈥欌 it鈥檚 so much fun.鈥
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In the week leading up to Halloween, Gillard even took a week vacation from her advertising career at Black Press Media to help her friend, store manger Lorette Dolmans.
鈥淓veryone came early, we鈥檝e been extremely busy,鈥 Dolmans said. A popular costume choice she has noted among young girls this year has been characters from Disney movie Descendants, while boys have favoured outfits relating to online video game Fortnite.
Anime and Paw Patrol costumes have also been popular choices, according to Gillard, who said the ultimate trend this year is costumes inspired by Netflix鈥檚 Squid Games. The store doesn鈥檛 have dedicated show-inspired costumes, but Gillard said individuals can concoct their own outfits by assembling items sold individually.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 keep product on the wall鈥. we have been busy, pretty much since September,鈥 she said. 鈥淸On Saturday] we had a lineup, the parking lot was crazy. Last Sunday, we actually had to only let 10 people in at a time, we were so busy鈥 we don鈥檛 want to jeopardize anyone鈥檚 health.鈥
READ MORE: Trunk-or-Treat outdoor Halloween event returns to 91原创
Mark Flores knew exactly what he was shopping for before he visited the store on Sunday. This year the Murrayville resident is dressing up as Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th.
Flores said Halloween is something he and his family look forward to each year, but didn鈥檛 mark the holiday last year due to health restrictions.
鈥淭his year we鈥檙e going to hang out with some family and have an in-house get-together,鈥 he said.
Meanwhile, Gillard is still undecided on her costume this year, but she doesn鈥檛 mind since it will provide another opportunity for her to be among the frightening displays.
Gillard鈥檚 role requires a full day on her feet, but she doesn鈥檛 mind, because her efforts there also mean she鈥檚 helping support an important cause.
Spirit Halloween is raising money for BC Children鈥檚 Hospital. At the register, customers are welcome to make a direct monetary donation or round-up their total amount owed, donating the added amount to the foundation.
READ MORE: Animals go trick or treating at 91原创 wildlife facility
As of Sunday, the 91原创 location had raised $12,000 dollars, but Gillard is hoping that number is much higher when the haunting season comes to an end.
The community can find Gillard all this week at the pop-up shop in Willowbrook (20202 66 Ave.), where she鈥檒l be fulfilling her seasonal target of smiling faces.
鈥淔or me, to get out and about and greet people, and find that special costume for them to use on Halloween 鈥 this is my cup of tea,鈥 she said.
鈥淧utting a smile on people鈥檚 faces is always something I enjoy.鈥
Have a story tip? Email: joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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