Spirit Halloween stores are coming back. Here's when and where the Akron shops will open

There may still be pencils and backpacks on the store shelves.

Yet Halloween is creeping ever closer.

The harbinger of fall and all things creepy has already arrived in northern Ohio.

Spirit Halloween has opened its crypt doors to some of its stores in Ohio.

And some of those stores already selling all things Halloween are situated in Greater Akron.

The stores are seasonal pop-ups that take over empty retail spaces typically in strip malls.

Where are the Spirit Halloweens in the Akron area?

• Fairlawn , inside the former Bed Bath and Beyond, 3750 West Market St., set to open later in August.
• Kent , in the former Save A Lot, 1430 South Water St., is already open for business.
• North Canton , in the former Bed Bath and Beyond, 6725 Strip Ave NW, set to open in August.
• Aurora , in the former Saks Off Fifth store in Aurora Farms outlets, 549 S. Chillicothe Road, set to open later in August.
• Canton , in the former Rite Aid, 3010 Whipple Ave. Northwest, is already open for business.
• Medina , in the former Century Cycles, 1059 North Court St., set to open later in August.
• Solon , in the former Earth Fare, 33315 Aurora Road, is already open.
• Alliance , next to Kidzone, 1300 E. State St., is already open.

What Spirit Halloweens in Greater Akron are already open?

There are around 50 Spirit Halloween stores situated in Ohio and some 1,500 in the seasonal chain that will be open for this Halloween season.

Many of the Ohio stores are already open for business including these in Greater Akron communities: Kent, Canton, Solon and Alliance.

How long has Spirit Halloween been around?

Spirit Halloween has become somewhat of meme and a punchline for jokes as it springs up in the fall in former storefronts.

A popular seasonal photoshopped photo in northern Ohio is of the Browns Stadium with a giant Spirit Halloween sign when things are not going well with the team.

The retailer that specializes in costumes, Halloween props and gags has been around a lot longer than you might think.

The company was founded in 1983 and begins setting up shop at the end of summer and typically closes up shop a couple days after Halloween.

It does maintain a year-round website spirithalloween.com .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Spirit Halloween stores are coming back. Here's when and where the Akron shops will open