Melinda at the old storePhoto by Julie Mangin

[Melinda] Bare’s flair for the dramatic has proved useful not only in scouting costumes but in finding quality stage makeup to scare. The makeup selection is a big draw for employees for many of the Halloween themed attractions around the Harrisonburg area, such as DarkWood Manor and Fear Forest.

“I pretty much work with all of them,” Bare said. “If I’m not mistaken, each individual person has to fix their own costume, and they’ll come in and buy all kinds of accessories. So they’re in all year looking.”

The store hasn’t been known for costuming. When Bare and Gary Stiteler, another co-owner of Glen’s, inherited the store from Bare’s father, it was still a small store that mainly sold convenience products and cameras.

Bare believes that the ghost of her father still resides in Glen’s old location. As for Bare’s mother, she believes her ghost moved with the family to the new store five years ago.

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One of downtown’s top destinations since 1941, Glen’s Fair Price Store is the kind of place you have to see to believe. What’s in the overcrowded aisles?

• Professional photography equipment
• Vintage candy & whoopee cushions
• Thousands of Halloween costumes
• A toy-store in the basement
• Hummel figurines and Madame Alexander dolls

Be sure to say hi to owners Melinda and Gary (Glen’s kids), who say they don’t have customers, just friends.