I toured Salem to see if it lives up to its reputation as a spooky Halloween town. It's a gimmicky but unbeatable experience filled with practicing witches, haunted buildings, and 'Hocus Pocus' nostalgia.
bySam-
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Ann Matica in front of the Witch City Mall in Salem, Massachusetts.
Ann Matica
An estimated 100,000 tourists come through Salem, Massachusetts, each day in October.
Ann Matica visited local shops in Salem to see how the tourism industry impacts business.
While some businesses seem gimmicky, Matica said it's what helps keep the tourism industry alive.
The small historic city of Salem, Massachusetts, becomes a popular hub for Halloween enthusiasts every year.
Ann Matica
It draws an estimated 100,000 tourists per day in October to take part in the festivities and enjoy the local businesses in the area.
I decided to spend a day shopping in Salem to see how the Halloween tourism industry impacts the local economy — for better or worse.
Ann Matica
The first stop on my journey was at the Witch City Mall, located smack in the middle of the bustling downtown.
Ann Matica
Inside the mall are a myriad of local shops and restaurants, including a witch and fairy emporium and the Salem Cinema.
Ann Matica
The Salem Psychic Fair was taking place inside the mall while I was visiting. For a starting price of $50, passersby could pay to get their tarot cards read by psychic professionals.
Ann Matica
There were also plenty of shops selling T-shirts with Halloween-related graphics on them, like this "Got Magic?" one ...
Ann Matica
… and these slasher shirts.
Ann Matica
After window shopping, I made my way to the Salem Commons, where many vendors set up shop on a weekly basis.
Ann Matica
I weaved my way through dozens of tents with banners embossed with the businesses' names.
Ann Matica
I noticed quite a few tents selling witch hats.
Ann Matica
All in varying sizes, designs, and price points.
Ann Matica
While browsing the tents, I met twin brothers Ryan and Matthew Murray, who are the co-owners of the Salem-based tattoo parlor Black Veil Studio.
Ann Matica
Ryan said he and his brother planned to set up their tent every weekend in October to sell their artwork and talk with potential clients.
Ann Matica
Ryan said tourism in the city has expanded since he was a kid growing up in Salem. Now, he said, the tourism season can stretch past the month of October all the way to the end of November.
Ann Matica
Like many tourist towns, Salem is big on offering guided tours. The list of options includes historic tours about the witch trials and ghost tours that show guests haunted places around the city.
Ann Matica
Fans of the Hocus Pocus movies can partake in a tour that brings visitors to all the original filming locations from the movie.
Ann Matica
While wandering the streets of Salem, I couldn't help but notice unique shops in the area, such as an apothecary.
Ann Matica
Artemisia Botanicals is known to be one of the few witches' apothecaries in Salem. It was opened in 1997 by owner Teri Kalgren.
Ann Matica
Kalgren said her clientele is a mix of locals and tourists. During the busier months, Kalgren said her regulars will stop by the shop in the morning in order to avoid the crowds of tourists.
Ann Matica
The apothecary is a one-stop-shop for customers' witchcraft needs. When I walked in, I was greeted by a line of hanging broom sticks.
Ann Matica
I also came across a cabinet filled with wands, goblets, and spellbooks.
Ann Matica
Nearby was a rack of witch robes and a dressing room for customers.
Ann Matica
By the register was a case of crystal balls.
Ann Matica
There are also more than 400 different kinds of herbs on display inside the shop, according to Kalgren.
Ann Matica
Some of the most popular herbs among customers at the moment are Mullein flowers, which have anti-inflammatory properties, Kalgren said.
Ann Matica
The shop also had spell candles for different purposes, like conjuring wealth or love.
Ann Matica
Visiting Artemisia Botanicals made me realize that not everything about Salem is just for tourists to enjoy.
Ann Matica
However, as soon as I stepped back out into the crowd, I was greeted by Halloween-themed attractions yet again.
Ann Matica
I found the tent selling Dracula fangs particularly amusing.
Ann Matica
Even the local pet store was outfitted with festive Halloween decorations.
Ann Matica
The interior of the store had gravestones, cobwebs, and skeleton pets scattered around.
Ann Matica
A collection of Halloween dog toys were hanging on the wall.
Ann Matica
I was tempted to purchase one of the pet Halloween costumes for my cat.
Ann Matica
After stepping back onto the main street, I noticed that many of the stores in downtown Salem have names related to magic and witchcraft, like this sign that said World of Wizardry ...
Ann Matica
... or this one called Hex ...
Ann Matica
... or Omen ...
Ann Matica
I was intrigued by the banner outside of the Omen storefront and decided to go in.
Ann Matica
The interior was full of people browsing and buying witchcraft-related objects.
Ann Matica
Once I'd squeezed past a few customers, I saw a table with a crystal ball and witches charms.
Ann Matica
I also came across a small cabinet full of potions.
Ann Matica
On a back wall, there were shelves full of educational books about magic.
Ann Matica
Another bookcase was filled with brightly colored journals that I could only imagine were supposed to be used for casting spells.
Ann Matica
There were framed photos of the shop's psychics hanging on the wall.
Ann Matica
The private readings were held behind drawn curtains.
Ann Matica
Customers were also able to buy their own tarot card decks from the store's collection.
Ann Matica
I made a 15-minute appointment to have my tarot cards read by a psychic named Bailey Merlin.
Ann Matica
Merlin said she only works part-time at Omen in October because of how lucrative it is during tourist season.
Ann Matica
As I made my way out of Salem, I thought about how the city's tourism industry thrives year after year because of the local shop owners and employees.
Ann Matica
While some shops felt a bit gimmicky, I realized they're what bring visitors from all over the world to Salem to partake in an experience that can't be replicated anywhere else.
