More than 1,500 different masks fill one small-town shop, and some of them are custom-made. That’s a lot of faces staring back at you on a random Tuesday in March.
The candy aisle gets weird too. Dried cricket lollipops sit near old-school gum like Beemans, BlackJack, and Clove. I like how a store can be spooky and sweet at the same time.
Outside, a giant Frankenstein watches the sidewalk. Inside, a Zoltar machine waits to tell your fortune. I can’t imagine a better way to keep October going all year in Ohio.
The whole thing started as a simple five-and-dime almost a century ago. Now the spooky spirit spills down an entire street. I’d love to wander from shop to shop, checking out the creepy displays and seeing what strange surprises the Foy family has tucked around the next corner.
1. A Five-And-Dime That Decided Halloween Should Never End
Back in 1929, Albert Foy opened a tiny five-and-dime in Osborn, Ohio. Nobody back then could have guessed it would someday become a Halloween headquarters.
Osborn later joined with Fairfield in 1950, and the new town became Fairborn. Today, Foy’s Halloween and Variety Store holds the title of the oldest continually operating store in Fairborn.
The spooky shift happened in the early 1970s. Customers kept asking for Halloween goods, and the Foy family listened. Smart move, right?
That simple choice changed everything. Masks, costumes, and props slowly took over shelves that once held everyday odds and ends.
Still, the store never forgot its roots. You can find party supplies, toys, and quirky little items mixed in with the creepy stuff.
The family connection runs deep too. Mike Foy is the third-generation owner, and his son is lined up to carry things forward as the fourth.
I believe that kind of staying power is rare. Plenty of shops come and go, but this one keeps reinventing itself without losing its charm.
Mark your calendar for 2029. That’s when the store is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary, and I can only guess how wild that party might get.
2. Good Luck Picking Just One Of 1,500 Masks
Fifteen hundred masks. Let that number sink in for a second.
The mask collection is one of the biggest draws here, and it covers just about every creature you can dream up. Some masks are even custom-made, so you might spot something you won’t find anywhere else.
Shopping for a mask here feels like a game of choices. Do you want classic monster, goofy grin, or full nightmare fuel? You’ll have plenty of time to decide while scanning the walls.
Masks aren’t the only things that help build a costume. The shelves also hold wigs, fangs, fake blood, and makeup for finishing touches.
Here’s a practical tip. If you have a costume idea in mind, bring a photo or a short list of pieces you need.
That way you won’t get distracted by every shiny skull and creepy clown along the way. Okay, you’ll still get distracted, but at least you’ll leave with what you came for.
Groups planning matching outfits will love the variety. Friends, families, or coworkers can all find something that fits the theme without everyone looking exactly the same.
3. Crickets On A Stick Share Shelf Space With Grandpa’s Gum
Some candy is sweet. Some candy has legs.
The treat selection at Foy’s Halloween and Variety Store goes far beyond the usual chocolate bars. Brave snackers can grab dried cricket lollipops, salt and vinegar crickets, or chocolate-covered insects.
Not feeling that adventurous? No problem at all.
The store also stocks nostalgic candy that might remind older folks of their childhood. Vintage gum brands like Beemans, BlackJack, TeaBerry, and Clove are on hand, and those names alone spark plenty of memories.
The setup adds to the fun. Old-fashioned glass candy cases and wooden bins give the place a classic five-and-dime look.
Kids can pick out little treats one by one, which turns a quick stop into a real event. Grownups might end up just as excited, especially when they spot a gum flavor they haven’t seen in decades.
Want a fun idea? Buy one bug snack and one vintage gum pack, then challenge your family to try both.
It makes a great story for the ride home. Plus, nobody can say your trip to Ohio was boring after you’ve crunched on a cricket.
4. One Store Turned Into A Whole Street Of Spooky Shops
One building just couldn’t hold all the Halloween. So the Foy family kept adding more.
The first expansion, an Adult Costume Store, opened in 1989. By the mid-1990s, a Kid’s Costume Store, a Haunted House Store, and a Glow Shop had joined the lineup.
Today, the shops spread along Main Street in Fairborn. Each one focuses on something different, which makes planning a visit kind of like building your own spooky tour.
The Children’s Costume Shop keeps little ones covered with outfits sized just for them. The Adult Costume Store handles grownup looks, and it keeps year-round hours too.
Then there’s the Haunted House Store, which focuses on special effects. Anyone building a home haunt or yard display will want to spend time here.
A Haunted Museum also joins the group. It adds another layer of creepy fun for curious visitors.
My advice is simple. Wear comfortable shoes and give yourself a few hours.
Hopping from shop to shop is half the fun. You’ll want time to explore each one without feeling rushed.
5. Party Rentals Go Well Beyond Halloween Costumes
Need a hearse for a Halloween party? Believe it or not, Foy’s has offered one as a rental.
The family’s unusual rental lineup has included costumes, helium tanks, popcorn machines, cotton candy machines, snow cone machines, and even skeletons.
It’s the kind of selection that makes Foy’s stand out from an ordinary costume shop. Just be sure to contact the store ahead of time to confirm which rentals are currently available, especially during the busy Halloween season.
Renting makes a lot of sense for one-time events. Why buy a huge costume or bulky machine when you only need it for a single night?
It also saves storage space at home. Nobody wants a popcorn machine taking over the garage for eleven months.
Here’s a smart tip. Reach out early if you’re planning something around October, since that’s peak season for costumes and party gear.
Booking ahead gives you the best shot at landing exactly what you want. Then all you have to do is show up and have fun.
6. Frankenstein Guards The Sidewalk While Zoltar Reads Your Future
A towering Frankenstein statue stands right on the sidewalk. It’s hard to miss, and that’s exactly the point.
Plenty of visitors stop for a photo with the big guy before they even step inside. Honestly, skipping that picture feels like breaking an unwritten rule.
Inside, another famous character waits. A Zoltar fortune-telling machine sits ready to share wisdom with anyone curious enough to try.
Movie fans might grin at that one. It adds a playful, old-arcade feel to the shopping trip.
A Ghostbusters hearse is also part of the scenery. Who you gonna call? Probably your friends, so they can see it too.
These little extras make the visit feel bigger than a regular shopping stop. You’re not only browsing shelves, you’re collecting moments.
For families, this is a goldmine. Kids can pose with a monster, get a fortune, and spot a famous movie car in one outing.
Bring a charged phone. Between Frankenstein, Zoltar, and the hearse, your camera roll is about to get very full very fast.
7. A Retro Diner Adds Another Chapter To The Foy Family Story
Halloween costumes aren’t the only part of the Foy family’s downtown legacy. In 1997, the family opened Foy’s Rock-n-Roll Grill, bringing a 1950s-inspired diner atmosphere to Main Street.
The restaurant became another example of how the family expanded beyond its original five-and-dime, mixing nostalgia with the playful spirit that made Foy’s a local landmark.
Its retro theme fit right in with the surrounding costume shops, offering a different kind of trip down memory lane.
Although some older visitor guides still mention the grill, current restaurant listings identify it as closed. Visitors shouldn’t count on it as a dining stop without confirming its status.
Fortunately, downtown Fairborn offers other places to take a break between exploring the Halloween shops.
The grill remains an interesting part of the Foy family’s history, even if the main attraction today is the collection of unusual stores along Main Street.
8. Zombie Pirate Ships Have Been Known To Drop Anchor Downtown
Most towns save their biggest Halloween decorations for October, but Fairborn keeps its spooky reputation alive all year through the Foy family’s shops.
When Halloween season arrives, the displays get even more elaborate. Mike Foy has transformed nearby properties and empty lots with enormous creations, including zombie pirate ships and haunted horse-drawn coaches.
Downtown features statues, window displays, and odd little surprises that make strolling feel like a treasure hunt. It’s a big reason Fairborn picked up the nickname Halloweentown.
Mike Foy takes things even further. He has shown massive Halloween creations in empty lots around the area.
We’re talking zombie pirate ships. We’re also talking haunted horse-drawn coaches.
Those aren’t the kind of decorations you whip up in an afternoon. They show just how seriously the Foy family takes the fun.
For visitors, this means the adventure doesn’t stop at the store doors. Walking around town becomes part of the experience.
Take a slow lap down Main Street before or after shopping. Keep your eyes open for creepy details tucked in windows and corners.
Kids can turn it into a spotting game. Who can find the most skeletons, ghosts, or monsters first?
It’s a simple, free way to stretch out the day. And it proves that Halloween in this Ohio town is truly a year-round thing.
9. Plan Your Trip Around The Town’s Biggest Spooky Weekend
Mark 18 E Main St, Fairborn, OH 45324 in your map app. That’s where the main store sits, right in the heart of downtown.
Foy’s Halloween and Variety Store stays open all year. It runs from late morning into the evening most days, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Fall is when things really light up, though. For about 70 years, Foy’s has hosted a Halloween parade and party that has become a local tradition.
The store also takes part in the annual Fairborn Halloween Festival. Costumes, fall fun, and downtown energy all come together for that big celebration.
Want the full experience? Time your visit around the festival weekend and wear your best costume.
Prefer a calmer trip? Go during another season, when you’ll have more space to browse at your own pace.
Either way, the shops make a great stop for a day trip in Ohio. Fairborn sits close to Dayton, so it’s easy to fit into a weekend plan.
Just leave room in your trunk. Something with fangs is probably coming home with you.
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