LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s one of the oldest and largest novelty shops in Kentucky. Today, Caufield’s Novelty is prepared to celebrate Halloween once again—the spookiest day of the year. The third generation Louisville shop is now more than a century old.
What You Need To Know
- Caufield’s Novelty has been open since 1920
- The store is open all year round, selling costumes, masks, makeup, and more
- Tracy Caufield Johnson, her brother and her sister-in-law currently run the store
- The store is 30,000 square feet big
Caufield’s Novelty sells everything from Halloween costumes to makeup, masks and more. The Caulfields say it’s an experience you won’t find many places in the world.
For 102 years, the shop has given many the heebie jeebies. Currently, it’s run by Tracy Caufield Johnson, her brother and her sister-in-law.
“We also still carry all the tricks and jokes so that part of the business has not changed. I will say we’ve gone through a lot of changes over the years. I believe that we’re still in business because we have changed over the years,” said Caufield Johnson.
The business has kept up with the times by being spotted on popular social media platforms like Tik Tok. Caufield Johnson said the idea of the store was born after her grandfather was in a car accident. He used the last $25 from the settlement to put tricks and jokes in his photography studio.
Eventually, they closed the photography studio and expanded to the 30,000 square foot store. With 10,000 of it being retail and 20,000 being warehouse space.
“I often get people who come in and say ‘I came in as a kid and now I’m bringing my grandkids in,’” said Caufield Johnson.
She says that legacy is why her brother- and sister-in-law work with her to keep it alive.
With any costume Trevor Thompson, the store’s makeup artist says you can’t forget about the special effects.
“You’ve got a little more commitment here… these are just semi-permanent hair dyes,” said Trevor Thompson.
He’s worked at the store for eight years and has used his skills on so many people he’s lost track.
“It’s definitely in the high hundreds,” said Thompson.
It’s all of this that keeps people coming back 365 days a year. And Caufield Johnson says she’s certain about what her grandfather might say today.
“I know that he’s looking down, and he’s extremely happy to see the legacy continuing,” said Caufield Johnson.
She hopes that will mean another 102 years of customers. Caufield’s Novelty will be open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you’re looking to get any last-minute Halloween costumes or decorations.
The store will host a Caufield’s Novelty After Dark Nov. 19 from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m. where guests will be locked in all night with midnight shopping, movies, ghost stories, tours, dinner, breakfast and snacks. You can learn more about the event on their Facebook page.