Other than Christmas, Halloween is the most commercialized holiday in the US as Americans spend hundreds of dollars every year on costumes and decorations. Central New Yorkers are no different.

And like millions of other Americans, last year Halloween-related sales were down across the board in CNY due to the economy. But this year things are looking up.

Sara Murphy, a worker at Dougherty's Masquerade in Syracuse notes that, "Its been really busy in here, I think things are getting better." Murphy adds that it is much more crowded than last year.

Not only are people buying costumes once again, many aren't holding anything back. One cashier remembered a customer paying $230 dollars on his costume.

Bobbi Walker, the store's office manager, thinks that the holiday falling on a weekend helps a lot. She says that because there is no work the day after Halloween, more people will have costume parties on the 31st.

"I think Halloween is a holiday where people can forget about all of the things going on with the economy and just go out and have a good time with your friends," says Chelsea Colon, a student at LeMoyne and customer at Dougherty's Masquerade.
Walker also says there is a big rush during the final week as people change their minds about what they can spend.

"A lot of people think they are not gonna do it." Walker says, "They are not gonna go out and get dressed up and then at the last minute they go, nah I think I better go get out something. "

The employees say that the store's top selling this year has been the Michael Jackson "thriller" set which comes complete with a jacket and glove.