Fort Wayne Restores Access to Stoner's Funstore Parking
The city reopened entryways to help the retailer recover foot traffic during the critical Halloween sales window.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Should local governments be required to prioritize business access during road construction projects in your area?
The City of Fort Wayne has reopened access points at Stoner's Funstore following construction that restricted entry during the business's peak sales period. Shoppers can now reach the store parking lot via the Main Street entryway and a newly converted two-way alley on Harrison Street.
Why it matters
Construction disruptions can severely impact seasonal revenue, especially for businesses where the weeks leading up to Halloween account for 60 percent of annual sales. Regaining accessibility is critical for operators to capture the remaining demand during their most important sales window.
Stoner's Funstore, which has operated for over 75 years, relies on Halloween weeks for 60 percent of its annual sales. The facility currently stocks over 20,000 costumes to serve this concentrated demand.
The players
Stoner's Funstore
A long-standing Fort Wayne retailer that maintains an inventory of over 20,000 costumes.
Deer Park Pub
A local establishment offering a promotional gift card valid through late October.
City of Fort Wayne
The local municipal authority responsible for managing construction and public right-of-way access.
The details
City officials addressed site access issues following a meeting with store staff the week of October 19, 2026. The primary change involves reconfiguring the Harrison Street alley into a two-way traffic flow, while the Main Street entryway to the parking lot has been fully reopened. These measures restore the throughput needed to manage high-volume seasonal foot traffic after construction blocked access points earlier this month.
Timeline
October 2026: Construction began near the store.
Week of October 19, 2026: City officials met with store staff.
October 26, 2026: Access improvements completed.
October 30, 2026: Deer Park Pub promotion ends.
October 31, 2026: Halloween store hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Market Landscape
This restoration of access highlights the ongoing tension between municipal infrastructure improvements and the requirements for businesses to maintain clear entryways for commerce. It follows a pattern where city-led construction impacts local retailers that rely on specific, high-volume seasonal demand.
Operators facing municipal construction should document revenue impacts early to engage city planners for traffic mitigation. Ensuring physical access to inventory is a primary operational priority during peak seasonal sales periods.
The takeaway
Maintaining clear signage and communicating with municipal authorities about high-traffic windows can help mitigate the impact of public works projects. Track your daily sales volume during peak seasons to establish a clear baseline for negotiating access or compensation with city officials.
What happens next
Stoner's Funstore will operate on Halloween, October 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Further reading
For more on how local business environments are changing, see the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsChannel 15 WANE-TV Fort Wayne.
Live Poll
Should local governments be required to prioritize business access during road construction projects in your area?
