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A spook-tacular night in downtown Coeur d'Alene

by HAILEY HILL
Staff Writer | November 1, 2024 1:08 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Halloween may not be the biggest day for sales along Sherman Avenue, but for downtown business owners, making sales isn’t really the goal. Instead, they focused on handing out candy to hundreds of trick-or-treaters.

“We love it for the local businesses down here,” said Ann Cone, an employee at Hudson’s Hamburgers. “It’s a safe environment for kids to celebrate Halloween, especially for the littles before it gets dark.”

The popular Trick or Treat Downtown Coeur d’Alene event sees a huge turnout every year — Hudson’s Hamburgers reported going through nine bags of candy last Halloween, while CDA Garment District reported handing out 15 or 16 bags’ worth.

“I love it. I’ve been doing it since 2009,” said Samantha Gibbs, owner of CDA Garment District.

While people may not be looking to shop on Halloween night, Gibbs thinks many come back downtown to shop stores that piqued their interest.

“I do feel like I see people who say they want to come back, so this year I made coupons to hand out for those that are interested,” Gibbs said.

Retail shops weren’t the only downtown businesses getting in on the action. The Beacon made itself kid-friendly for the night by handing out candy from the front steps of the popular bar.

“We love this community, and it’s great being able to give back and do this for the kids,” said Michael Goggin, the manager at The Beacon.

Goggin told The Press that The Beacon does see an uptick in business around Halloween — last weekend was a busy one, and they anticipate an equally busy weekend coming up.  

    Sherman Ave. in downtown Coeur d'Alene was packed with hundreds of trick-or-treaters visiting local businesses on Thursday night.
 
 
    Wesley, 15 mos., takes in the trick-or-treating action along Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene Thursday night.
 
 
    Octavian and Sydnee Rivas, and Merrik, 2, were a sight to behold as the Addams Family for trick-or-treating in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
 
 
    The Ten/6 family, a restaurant in Coeur d'Alene, took to Sherman Ave. as the Evil Queen and the Seven Dwarves from the classic Disney movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves."