GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) — For a dozen years running a spooky home on the 1100 block of Cass Street in Green Bay has been evolving. Every Halloween owner Tim Corey makes sure he has something new for the kids who pass through, despite the challenge of finding new products during the pandemic.
"That's what makes them come back. Seeing something new. It's fun to see them year to year as they grow a little bit and get a little bit older and braver. They start to go further and further into the yard," says Corey.
Corey loves Halloween, it's without question his favorite holiday. But this year it was tough to upgrade his yard because of shortages related to Halloween decorations, especially animatronics.
"They were in high demand. It's hard to get them," adds Corey.
But Corey was willing to put in the time, effort, and money into making sure he had something new this year. He managed to get a few new animatronics that speak and move all so that he could still knock the socks off of visiting trick or treaters.
"It was the right place and right time, and I was able to get them," adds Corey.
But for all too many others finding yard decorations this year became a nightmare. At the Halloween Express in Ashwaubenon, they know what we're talking about.
"We sell costumes and decorations and we used to sell animatronics. But as you can see, they are pretty much gone," says Enrique Perez the Manager of Halloween Express.
As of Wednesday, morning, Perez has zero animatronics in stock; he sold his final one back in September
"People went crazy buying it this year," adds Perez.
So, if you happen to find an oversized Halloween decoration for sale you might want to swoop it up while you can. Because the only thing more terrifying than not bringing the block together with a display like Corey's is not getting the freaked-out reaction from the neighbor kids, that you were waiting for all year.
"I hate to say I kind of like that. Then I know I have done my job," jokes Corey.
