Caufield's Novelty keeping Halloween spirit alive despite tariff hurdles
For more than 100 years, many in the Louisville area have made Caufield's Novelty the go-to spot for Halloween costumes.
Tracy Caufield-Johnson owns Caufield's. According to her, the business has always stayed ahead of the curve.
"We started a website as soon as we could. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, we sold model and hobby items," Caufield-Johnson said. "You just have to make adjustments as to what's popular and roll with that to make changes."
This year, the business is dealing with a new issue that has little to do with demand and much more to do with supply.
"Things are a little more difficult to bring in with the tariff situation," Caufield-Johnson said. "I think a lot of the vendors were a little cautious with what they brought in this year. Obviously, every container you bring in, you have to pay tariffs on."
This supply issue is affecting the Halloween industry across the board.
Most costumes come from China. The country faces 30% tariffs on items like Halloween costumes, which raises costs for importers who order fewer costumes and have diminished stock to sell to places like Caufield's.
According to Caufield-Johnson, with Halloween being so trend-based, the lack of day-to-day supply makes planning for the future next to impossible.
"Especially with licensed stuff, things that might be popular one year and not so much the next, stock has been very limited," Caufield-Johnson said.
The shop will have special store hours this week, Monday through Thursday. Caufield's will be open 10:30 a.m. through 8 p.m., and on Halloween, they will be open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
