Daydreams and Nightmares is a much beloved costume and Halloween store, located in Modesto, California.
From seasonal décor and props, to high quality costumes and supplies for makeup artists, locals swear up and down by this one of kind establishment.
The One Stop Halloween Shop in Modesto
Updated 2/11/2020 – Dana, the much respected owner of the store, was the first to come forward about her paranormal experiences while working.
She caught the apparition of a woman in dress on tape, standing in her store well after it was closed.
Other employees have reported seeing shadowy figures in their peripheral vision, and objects moving around the store while nobody else is around.
Many speculate where and when this haunting first began.
A few employees are said to claim that it began shortly after Dana purchased a coffin as part of the store’s interior design from Argentina.
No matter when it started, many locals are convinced that Daydreams and Nightmares is definitely haunted.
Natalie (Name changed for their protection) was new in town when she first heard about the store.
Halloween was approaching, and she had been invited to a party by one of her co-workers.
She hoped that by finding a really great costume, it would be easier to make friends at the party.
“I wasn’t sure who or want I wanted to be, but I knew that Daydreams and Nightmares would have something I liked,” Natalie said with a smile.
I started wandering around the store when I came across a doll perched on a shelf toward the back of the store.
I have a small doll collection at home, so she immediately caught my eye.
The Watching Doll
“She was creepy, but not in any gross kind of way or anything.
Most of my dolls are really expensive china dolls with Victorian dresses, but there was just something about this doll that really caught my attention,” she said.
“I told myself I would come look at her some more after I picked out my costume.
“I did a few laps around the entire store, and grabbed a couple of rental outfits.
I went to hunt down the dressing rooms when I saw the doll again—all the way on the other side of the store.
I thought she was a duplicate until I was shown to the dressing rooms, and the doll I had first seen was no longer in her original spot,” she said with a shrug.
“I assumed that someone had picked her up to buy and then changed their mind and set her down again, so after a moment’s hesitation, I grabbed the doll and I tucked her under a huge rack of costumes so no one else could buy her.
I made sure to look around the entire store first so nobody would see me stashing her away,” Natalie said, looking sneaky.
“I tried on my costumes and settled on a pirate ensemble.
I draped the costume over my forearm and went back to the rack where I had hidden the doll.
I grabbed her and placed her in my palm while I looked for a price tag.
“That’s when the doll slowly turned her head to look me right in the eyes,” Natalie whispered.
“I yelped, and kicked her back under the rack before hurrying to the counter to buy my costume.
I couldn’t get out of that store quickly enough!
“When I got to my car in the parking lot, I looked back at the store to see the doll placed in the window, looking right at me.
After the Halloween party I had to return the costume to Modesto.
I have never been more scared to go anywhere in my entire life!”