LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Halloween is more than a month away, but that isn’t stopping some people from shopping for costumes. In fact, Kentucky’s Retail Federation expects a scary amount of spending.

Eva Davis is hunting for the perfect Halloween costume. She came to The Nitty Gritty in Louisville to look for something that’s a little cute, but also fun.

“Because I’m wanting to, like, just go to some parties and family things. Just like something that shows who I am and is also like something that I wouldn’t usually wear,” Davis explained.

She’s looking for accessories for a dark-clown themed costume or a period piece. So she knew she had to shop early.

“If I wait, it’s gonna be a whole situation of I won’t find it, and then I’ll just, like, accept my defeat. So, I figure it’s better to get started early this year,” she said.

That’s exactly what the Kentucky Retail Federation is suggesting every shopper does. They’re urging shoppers to visit local retailers for Halloween products. The Federation expects Halloween spending nationwide to reach a record high of $12.2 billion this year.

“You get to dress up without zero shame from anything. There’s so many varieties of fun to have with this,” John Ballard, a retail specialist at The Nitty Gritty, explained.

The Nitty Gritty is not a thrift store, but a vintage store. They specialize in getting authentic clothing from different decades. He said approximately 50% of their business is costume rental. It’s bumps higher as Halloween gets closer.

“We help with fittings and finding a style for you. A lot of people come in and are like ‘I need a ‘20s outfit’ and we point them right at the gangster pinstripes and stuff,” Ballard explained.

Davis says she’s gonna keep shopping until she finds the perfect costume. Ballard recommends keeping an open mind about your costume if you shop at The Nitty Gritty, and keep it fun.