Halloween costs are a fright

New Haven (WTNH) - Scared by the struggling economy, many people are expected to spend less money on Halloween this year. That leaves many local businesses struggling as they try to make ends meet.

Fright Haven has scared thousands of people for the past two years, but the tough economy means it will not open this year.

"After a couple of years of making Fright Haven a brand name in Connecticut, being one of the most scariest attractions in the state, we were pretty much scared to open. The economy would affect us too much," said Charles Rosenay, organizer of Fright Haven.

Rather than risk low attendance and pay an increased fee to lease the space on Saw Mill Road, Rosenay says they are looking forward to coming back strong next year. But it's not just patrons that will be disappointed. Fright Haven employs 50-60 actors every year for the 20 night attraction.

"They're heartbroken. They don't know what they're going to do this year as far as scaring people and having fun for Halloween. It's not just one night. It's a whole season," Rosenay said.

But it's more than haunted houses being affected. Folks are also spending less money on candy, decorations and costumes. That's bad news for Jeff Russell, owner of the Costume Bazaar in New Haven.

"The economy is very, very difficult," Russell said.

Russell has had to lay off four employees this year and after more than four decades, the building is for sale.

"Business is not good, that's for sure. We have some options we've been looking into. Whether it comes to selling the business, whether it comes to selling the inventory, we've got some tough, tough economic decisions we have to make in the next 3-5 months," he said.

The National Retail Federation expects Halloween spending to be down about 18-percent this year.