Mr. Fun’s in Cuyahoga Falls to shut storefront after over 50 years

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — For greater than half a century, it’s been a spot the place make-believe met Main Street, the place curiosity, costumes and neighborhood all lived beneath one roof. But this Halloween marks the ultimate act for Mr. Fun’s Costumes and Curiosity in Cuyahoga Falls.

“We’ve been creating fun for years. Since 1968 when it all began,” mentioned proprietor Meralie Pocock.

For generations, the store has been a neighborhood landmark, the place you may discover every thing from stage make-up and magic tips to the right disguise for any season.

Pocock married into the household enterprise 30 years in the past and says they’ve seen all of it.

“We have endured everything from natural disasters… global pandemics… staffing shortages,” she mentioned.

But after this vacation season, Mr. Fun will likely be accomplished—at the very least in relation to its bodily storefront.

“There are a lot of people who are sad,” Pocock mentioned. “But I just want to reassure them… we’re not going away. We’re just evolving.”

The household plans to maneuver operations on-line and proceed promoting by commerce reveals. A choice, Pocock mentioned, wasn’t made evenly, however turned crucial as prices rose and gross sales softened.

The greatest problem got here from one thing out of their management: tariffs.

“Tariffs, they are hurting small, they are hurting all businesses,” Pocock mentioned. “But small businesses really feel the effect because we don’t have big corporations backing us.”

With their lease coming to an finish, the household determined it was time to make the leap.

When requested how this Halloween compares to years previous, Pocock didn’t hesitate.

“It’s definitely been a softer Halloween because people don’t have as much money in their pockets,” she mentioned.

Mr. Funs joins a rising checklist of small retailers compelled to pivot as on-line giants like Amazon dominate e-commerce. Even nationwide chains equivalent to Party City struggled to compete, closing lots of of shops in 2024.

But Pocock says the spirit of Mr. Funs isn’t fading; it’s merely taking over a brand new type.

And for the purchasers who’ve spent a long time stepping inside this little world of marvel, that could be the very best type of magic, figuring out the story continues, even when the storefront disappears.