Remember the Bed Bath and Beyond in Mission Valley, the Tuesday Morning in Pacific Beach, or the Macy's at Parkway Plaza?

They're all gone, but still here in spirit, because they've been transformed into Spirit Halloween stores. This year, the spooky shop has 17 seasonal locations in San Diego County.

Let's pull the mask off and learn more. Spirit Halloween finds temporary leases and moves into retail spaces that would otherwise be vacant. This is why there are so many — to the point it's become a meme — and they might be in different locations next year. Did you know? The chain is owned by Spencer Gifts LLC, you know, that quirky novelty store from the mall.

Prefer to shop local? These stores have a scary selection of new and pre-owned costumes:

House of Halloween in La Jolla
Gypsy Treasure in La Mesa
Whips n Furs in North Park
Explore vintage and resale stores