EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — There's something creepy lurking in every corner of Frazetta's Costumes in East Stroudsburg. People filled the showroom to get a jump on their spooky season shopping.
"I like to look for decorations for Halloween, and I got a really nice costume here last year, so I am looking for another one," said Christi Clark, Allentown.
With the busy Halloween shopping season in full swing, customers are now greeted with this sign: the shop is charging a $10 admission fee to walk into the store. But that fee will go toward your purchase.
The shop's Facebook post read, "After careful consideration, I have decided that Frazettas Costumes will be charging a $10 admission fee per adult (plus tax) that you will be able to apply towards your purchase. This is only valid on the same day of entry. Children accompanied by adults will get in free. Any unaccompanied minors will be subjected to the admission fee. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving you this Halloween season."
Owner Bill Frazetta says after many issues over the years, it was time to make a change, "People have destroyed my place; they walk in here to shoot TikTok videos and play all for their benefit and not spend a dime. They wreck the store, they steal, break things, I mean how much can you tolerate?"
Shoppers tell Newswatch 16 they're not losing their heads over the new admission fee when they come to Frazettas, and they know exactly what they want.
"If you come in here with a purpose, your purpose is to find what you are looking for and to spend, so it's not that big of a deal," said Clark.
"With these days to keep the business open with the lookers and nobody buying, you could leave right away or give us the 10 dollars, and it gives you the motivation to buy something anyway," said Edward Brown, Newfoundland.
Even with that fee, people are still filling the store, on the hunt.
"Costumes they are trying to decide what they want to be and changing their minds three or four times," said Steve Bernhard, Mount Joy.
And Frazetta says there are already some popular costumes this year, "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice that is the hot one, you know, so we've been doing a lot with that and a lot of calls about Deadpool and Wolverine."
"They have really creepy stuff and cool stuff," said Brown.
Frazetta's says if you have any questions about certain items customers can always call ahead.