Best Places For Halloween Decorations In Chicago

The Daily Meal Staff|Sept. 30, 2014 7:00 am EST

Those seasonal strip mall Halloween stores pop up faster than a teenage boy's blemishes around prom time. Here is a list of the top five places to get everything you need for your costume or home this Halloween.

Card & Party Giant
1318 Waukegan Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 657-7770
www.cardandpartygiant.com

President and CEO Charles Schwartz says, "We've been in the Chicago area since 1982. We are a family owned business and we have competed against the the chains by offering unique merchandise and great customer service. We want to greet every customer, find out what they need to make their event the best event it can be and advise them on any and all aspects of their event." Card & Party Giant offers delivery, custom-made banners affordably made right in the store and custom balloon decorating for Halloween and any occasion. It stocks hundreds of Halloween decorations from garlands and cut-outs to props, electronics and tabletop decor.

Skeleton-Factory.com
(888) 391-7739
www.skeleton-factory.com

If you're just looking for a reliable local business in the Halloween industry, Skeleton-Factory is among the best in the region, perhaps in the country. The business offers a colossal variety of Halloween decorations, from skeletons to reapers, skulls of all shapes and sizes, even some unusual, cool and creepy garlands. How about a zombie "safe zone" map or shark makeup? Counting tons of loyal fans around the world and Chicagoland, Skeleton-Factory also works with a lot of home haunters and other enthusiasts to create the best looking eerie settings around.

Card and Party Warehouse
4216 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 205-1000
www.cardandpartychicago.com

Card and Party Warehouse is packed with party necessities including what you'll need for a whimsical Halloween party. Because it's a warehouse, expect warehouse prices. You can rent tables and chairs, too, at rock bottom prices. If plastic works for you, this is your place, but don't expect high-tech statuary or props.

Doolin Amusement Supply Co
511 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 666-8070
www.doolins.com

When you're in need of a 3D wall torch with a flame, a casket box, executioner or skeleton props or a Grim Reaper figure that floats in the air – Doolin is your dungeon. The Chicago business began in the 1950s and the third generation is now running the show coupled with top-notch service. In addition to Halloween decor, Doolin rents tables, chairs, mirrored balls (a zombie disco perhaps?) and popcorn, bubble and fog machines.

Fantasy Festival Costume/Magic Centre
901 Cary Rd.
Algonquin, IL 60102
(847) 658-2000
www.fantasyfestival.com

Fantasy Festival not only rocks a vast array of Halloween costumes to rent or purchase, but the Algonquin store also has not-seen-everywhere decor to make your home come alive inside or out. Want a skinned right hand? No problem. A left hand that's been nibbled upon? It's yours. Get some "phantom fog" that burns a vibrant red smoke, a shrunken head, a bloody chainsaw (with sound) or a large feathered black raven prop for literary ghouls among the array of seasonal decor that's available year round.

Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.