Anything in life can become haunted. From houses to people, patches of land to toys, spirits latch onto anything within their reach – even retail establishments. That means the world of shopping isn’t immune to the supernatural, and we’ve compiled a list of the 10 haunted retail spots that will make you think twice before grabbing that last item on the shelf.
Why 10 Haunted Retail Stores Keep Shoppers Spooked
10 John T. King Used & Rare Books
In Detroit, Michigan, the city’s industrial decay and high crime rate set the stage for numerous eerie tales, but the most notorious retail haunting belongs to John T. King Used & Rare Books. This four‑story labyrinth houses over a million volumes across 900 categories, and it’s also home to a pair of lingering spirits.
The first apparition is said to be a man who took his own life on the third floor of the former glove factory that now shelters the bookstore. Rejected by a coworker, his broken heart drove him to despair, and ever since his death he’s been linked to cold spots, echoing footsteps, and unexplained drafts, all confirmed by a local psychic.
The second ghost arrived with a collection of books bought from the estate of a murder‑suicide victim. Though not malevolent, this spirit is notorious for generating sudden chills and toppling scores of books from the shelves, much to the consternation of the staff.
Both specters have become part of the store’s lore, turning a quiet literary haven into a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts eager to experience a page‑turning chill.
9 Market Basket Grocery Store
Wilmington, Massachusetts, houses a Market Basket that became the backdrop for a startling encounter. Christina Bush, a 25‑year‑old psychology major who’d been working there since age 14, never believed in ghosts—until March 2019.
While ringing up a customer at the bakery counter, Christina glanced up and saw an elderly woman in a white nightgown and haircap, standing barefoot just a few feet away, staring directly at her. She looked back down, only to find the apparition had vanished.
Startled, Christina searched the aisles, but the specter left no trace. Her own investigation unearthed few clues, yet other employees reported similar sightings, and one shopper claimed to have seen that exact ghost in her own home just blocks from the store.
8 San Francisco Safeway
The Sunset District of San Francisco is no stranger to spooky stories, but the local Safeway adds a chilling twist to its reputation for questionable ice cream. Employees have reported an unsettling presence—a young boy, roughly eight years old, who appears around midnight.
Witnesses describe him either curled on the floor in a fetal position or standing silently in a corner, his face hidden from view. The child’s origins remain murky; some say the Safeway sits atop the ruins of a hotel that burned down for insurance money, leaving speculation about whether the boy perished in the blaze.
Regardless of his backstory, the ghost’s appearances are consistently documented by multiple staff members, cementing his place in the store’s eerie folklore.
7 Dimond Center
Anchorage, Alaska’s Dimond Center mall sparks debate among locals about why it’s haunted. Some argue the mall was erected atop an ancient burial ground, stirring restless spirits, while others claim the permafrost‑laden terrain could never have supported a cemetery, suggesting the hauntings stem from tragic deaths within the mall itself.
Reported incidents include aneurysms, shootings, and even Freon leaks, all of which have allegedly left lingering energy. The most frequently encountered apparitions roam the bathrooms and hallways, manifesting as The Woman—who supposedly died while mall‑walking—The Tall Man, and The Child.
Whether the source is a disturbed grave or a series of unfortunate accidents, the Dimond Center remains a must‑visit for anyone curious about Alaskan paranormal activity.
6 Alabama Sams Club
In 2009, Oxford, Alabama, made a fateful decision: allowing Walmart to construct a Sam’s Club on land that required the demolition of Native American cultural mounds. The mayor, Leon Smith, dismissed the site as merely a natural formation used for “smoke signals,” despite local concerns.
The construction faced a cascade of setbacks, including sinkholes and severe economic woes, yet the project pressed on. The mayor even falsely claimed he was “full‑blood Indian” to deflect criticism, despite having no tribal affiliation.
While the store itself hasn’t displayed overt poltergeist activity, the series of mishaps during its build suggests the ground is cursed, leaving many to believe the Sam’s Club sits atop a restless, unsettled past.
5 Guitar, Amp and Keyboard
Brighton, England, boasts a rock‑and‑roll haunt that’s both mischievous and melodic. The music shop Guitar, Amp and Keyboard has been visited by a spectral figure captured on camera at least twice, each time causing a spooky stir among customers and staff.
In one video, a full‑body apparition strides toward a patron, who remains oblivious, while a second recording—taken after hours—shows an invisible presence rattling guitars and yanking a price tag off a Fender, sending it crashing to the floor.
Logical explanations remain elusive, prompting speculation that the ghost could be a frustrated rock star making one final, eerie encore before moving on to the afterlife.
4 Seawall Walmart
Galveston, Texas, is home to a Walmart built on the former site of St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum, a tragic location where a hurricane in 1900 claimed the lives of 90 children and 10 nuns. The disaster left a lingering, sorrowful energy that appears to have followed the land into its modern retail incarnation.
The Seawall Walmart has reported several hauntings since its construction. The most poignant is a child’s mournful wail, echoing through the aisles as the spirit searches for its mother. Other apparitions are said to giggle, play with, and even pilfer pallets of toys, much to the amusement (and occasional frustration) of employees.
These playful yet sorrowful specters have turned a routine shopping trip into a supernatural experience for those brave enough to shop after dark.
3 Sunnyvale Toys “R” Us
California’s sunny climate hides a darker tale at Sunnyvale Toys “R” Us, where the ghost known as Crazy Johnny roams. Legend says Johnny was a preacher hired by landowner Martin Murphy, and he fell ill with encephalitis while pining for Murphy’s daughter, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, however, loved a lawyer and planned to marry him. In a fit of grief‑induced rage, Johnny lost his grip on an axe, severed his own artery, and bled out within minutes. Yet his story didn’t end there.
According to eyewitnesses, Crazy Johnny rose again as a spectral presence, opening and closing doors, whipping papers across the floor, whispering through the intercom, and unsettling several psychic investigators who dared to probe his lingering energy.
2 Pike Place Market
Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market is rumored to host at least five distinct spirits, each adding a unique flavor to the bustling marketplace. Among the most recognizable is Princess Angeline, an elderly Native American woman who roams the stalls in a red scarf and basket.
Jacob, a young boy, haunts the bead shop, while Nora the Psychic inhabits a crystal ball in Sheila’s Magic Shop, moving inventory throughout the night. These apparitions create a tapestry of knocks, cold spots, and unexplained movements that keep both vendors and visitors on edge.
The market’s rich history and diverse clientele make it a fertile ground for lingering energies, ensuring that shopping here is never just about fresh produce and handmade crafts.
1 Murder Kroger
Atlanta, Georgia, may not claim the title of most haunted city—that honor goes to Savannah—but it does boast a uniquely grim retail story: Murder Kroger. Since 1991, the store has been the scene of at least four violent incidents, beginning with the shooting of Cynthia Prioleau in the parking lot.
In 2002, a dead body was discovered in a car parked in front of Kroger, followed by another murder in an adjacent building sharing the same lot, and a further shooting in 2015. Though no concrete evidence of a ghost has emerged, locals report a pervasive, angry energy that seems to linger long after each tragedy.
In 2019, the original building was demolished and replaced with a new Kroger featuring a grass‑covered roof and beehives. While the fresh façade has yet to inherit the same malevolent vibe, the nickname “Murder Kroger” persists, and some say the restless aura still waits in the shadows.
Whether the new store will ever shed its dark reputation remains to be seen, but the legend continues to haunt shoppers who remember its bloody past.