As leaves fall, one industry sees green

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Halloween business is a seasonal industry that breathes new life into dormant retail space and scares up a lot of money around Buffalo.

It's hard to say what age is appropriate to brave something like Frightworld in Amherst.

Ahrian Stevens, who is now 13, said, "I came here when I was 9, and I came home crying. At first it was okay and then I got really scared, and I'm like ready to leave, I don't want to do this."

Owner Ron Doherty said, "We try to outdo ourselves from the year before. It takes a tremendous amount of work."

As if the venue wasn't terrifying enough, people who came in Monday night shortly after Frightworld opened had a real life scare.

Scott Cooper said, "Well, we were in one of the haunted rooms, and one of the employees came, one of the characters with the flashlight and said, "Come with us, there's a fire alarm." And we were like, "Really?""

It was an actual fire drill because the fog machines got a little too smoky. Two years ago, Frightworld had to close for a few days after a fight broke out. But they pay more than 20 off duty Amherst Police officers to work security.

Doherty responded, "We want to be the safest place in Buffalo and we are, with all the security we have and all the police, this is the safest place in Buffalo."

And it's part of the cost of the Halloween business. Frightworld charges $23 at the door. At the Hamburg Fairgrounds, "Your Final Fears" is $24, and Darien Lake's FrightFest is the most at $29.99, but rides are included.

The District of the Dead on Sheridan is just $13 and proceeds benefit Women and Children's Hospital. There is also a haunted house on Hamilton Boulevard in Kenmore raising money for Women and Children's Hospital. Darkoner's charges just $1 admission.