Rachael Morgan never anticipated that she would be co-owner of Worcester’s Halloween Outlet. However, on Aug. 15, she and her brother, Jesse, officially became the new owners of a “destination store” that has been a staple in the community for 30 years.

Jesse had been a product supplier for the former owners. When the opportunity arose to buy the Halloween Outlet, Jesse tried to help the former owners find buyers. Then, Rachael said, the idea “dawned on Jesse” to just buy the place himself, especially since he has been in the Halloween business for 20 years. Although Rachael has marketing and retail experience, she described the Halloween business as her brother’s forte.

For the Morgan siblings, part of their goal as new owners has been trying to preserve the feel of the Halloween Outlet that patrons have come to know and love. Rachael described the company as a “destination store” and said that the former owners have been actively helping in the transition.

“A lot of the staff is actually staying the same; a lot of carry over,” Rachael explained. “For the most part, it is going to be the same.”

Right now, Rachael and Jesse’s main focus has been on setting up the store and obtaining inventory for the fast-approaching Halloween season. As far as upcoming Halloween trends, Rachael believes that superheroes from summer blockbuster movies like The Avengers and Suicide Squad will be big this year. However, she said not to count out “classic gore and terror.”

When asked the secret to creating an epic Halloween outfit, Rachael answered, “The difference between a good costume and a great costume is that a good costume, you buy the basics and put it on and kind of still go as yourself. A great costume, one that brings it to the next level, is all about the accessories, the makeup.” For Rachael, a truly awesome costume is created when someone completely transforms. She explained that to help with that transformative experience, Halloween Outlet will have makeup artists on staff throughout the season. Along with tutorials, the makeup artists will also be able to do effects for a fee. Latex applications, called Woochies, create effects like peeling skin, gruesome injuries and terrifying faces. The Walking Dead has even created its own line of makeup effects for zombie fanatics to enjoy.

For Rachael, the secret to a fantastic Halloween outfit is simple, “The ones that stand out are the ones that you make your own.” Even with popular costumes like this year’s Harley Quinn, Rachael suggests personalizing the look with unique accessories. To stand out among this year’s popular costumes, Rachael suggests even doing a classic Halloween throwback look like Freddie Krueger.

Halloween Outlet offers a range of styles, costumes and price points. Whether you’re looking for a simple costume for an office party or looking to be completely transformed for the ultimate Halloween costume contest, this store has it all. Open all year round, costumers always come in looking for party supplies, costume gear and even fall wedding décor. After only owning the store for a few weeks in August, Rachael was surprised by how busy the Halloween Outlet was already. “We’ve been packed in here.”

Unlike the big chain stores, Rachael explained that smaller “mom and pop shops” like Halloween Outlet are able to offer unique merchandise that you will not find at other stores. New animatronics and classic scary essentials stock the shelves and line the floors of the Halloween Outlet. Around each corner is a gruesome display, except for the Kid’s Room, where the latest costumes and most adorable outfits can be found. Although Rachael is not a big fan of horror movies, she loves the fun of Halloween. She described the type of inventory that is popular: “A lot of the stuff you’ll see in the store is here because they always sell – like Beetlejuice, the Exorcist and It.”

After only co-owning the store for a little while, Rachael has already developed a philosophy behind the best-selling products at the Halloween Outlet: “What scared you as a kid are the type of things that you’ll put in your yard as an adult.”

The Halloween Outlet is at 540 W. Boylston St., Worcester. For more information, visit halloweenoutlet.com.