Halloween is right around the corner and local businesses are lining up pumpkins and putting new costumes on the racks to prepare themselves for anxious Halloween shoppers. This year, shoppers will have a new store dedicated especially to Halloween costume supplies.

Halloween Express, 1930 S.W. Wanamaker Road, has brought Hollywood-style costumes and special effects to Topeka. The store has hundreds of costumes and masks for all shapes and sizes.

“The newest costumes this year are Hannah Montana and characters from the movie ‘300,’” said owner Mike Howard, who owns two stores in Wichita and wanted to bring a store to the Topeka area. “I wanted to stay in Kansas and Topeka provided me with an excellent location.”

According to Howard, Washburn students haven’t had a hard time finding the store, with some spending up to $50 per costume. However, there are a number of cheaper options at Halloween Express. Masks, prosthetic body parts, fake blood and Hollywood makeup may make this Halloween Topeka’s spookiest ever.

Halloween Express opens 10 a.m. and closes 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is open noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Howard said the business will remain open a day or two after Halloween for last-minute shoppers.

Many Washburn students are dressing up for Halloween but may not be trick-or-treating on Topeka’s streets. “I have a group of friends that dress up every year and go to the haunted houses in Kansas City.” said Washburn junior advertising major Kyle Cordts. “It is always a good time and the girls always get scared.”