Erin MaxwellWhile most horror fans know the climax of a good slasher usually involves a final girl (or guy) running for their lifefrom a masked maniac, few stop to consider the real question: just how many steps does it take to survive a scary movie? And does that count for your daily amount of cardio? As it stands, exercise and horror pics aren’t concepts most would pair together, but thanks to the twisted minds of Ama Lea, Kay Elyse, and Vanessa Decker, they are now entwined in one blood-pumping creation: Killer Fitness.
New to Burbank on Hollywood Way in the former residence of Dark Delicacies bookstore, the horror-themed fitness boutique offers a range of workout classes for people who are inclined toward the macabre. With courses such as “Horror Yoga,” “Fitness Ghouls,” and its signature class “Slashercise,” Killer Fitness targets health-conscious cinephiles in Burbank’s Magnolia Park area.
Killer Fitness (Devin Parker)
A nod to gym-sploitation splatter flicks like Killer Workout (1987), Death Spa (1988), and Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout (1990), Killer Fitness offers a demented twist on both scary movies and boutique fitness culture. Born from the short film Slashercise, directed by Lea and starring Decker, Killer Fitness is more than just offbeat fitness programs that blend horror with hilarity — it also serves as a community hub. With film screenings curated by Contra Celluloid and Cinematic Void, the space reflects and reinforces the creative, horror-loving spirit that defines the neighborhood.
“Killer Fitness is a neon-drenched, ’80s horror-themed fitness studio, retail store, and micro-cinema. We host immersive horror-themed fitness classes, from classic dance aerobics to kickboxing to yoga. There is something for everyone! Our store is full of our own line of activewear, retro and pop culture-themed merchandise, and beauty products! Sunday and Monday nights we host film screenings and other events for the community,” said co-owner Ama Lea about Magnolia Park’s latest addition.
Killer Fitness (Devin Parker)
“Magnolia Park has long been one of my favorite areas of the city and places to shop! I love all the stores here and their unique brand of horror. From the photo ops at Mystic Museum to the huge selection at Halloween Town, to the epic toys at Blast From the Past… not to mention the amazing vibes from Green Man and Crooked Path! Each shop is so unique and curated with a lot of love for horror, occult, and geek culture alike,” said Lea.
“We hope to bring a store that, while being for absolutely everyone, feels like a space with a female gaze into ’80s nostalgia and horror fandom. As a fitness space, we want to be a place for ALL bodies and levels of fitness.” added Lea. “I want you to walk in and be able to let go of your day and just have an absolute blast to the point where it doesn’t feel like a workout or something you HAVE to do, but rather look forward to.”
“Offering a more unique style of workouts invites those who may not feel comfortable at a traditional gym. We’re offering workouts with camp, with retro vibes, a whole immersive experience. It’s beyond the sweat sesh. We want the community to feel that they can find an escape here, the same way they find comfort binging their favorite series or slashers,” noted co-owner Thomsen.
(L-R) Ama Lea, Vanessa Decker and Kay Elyse of Killer Fitness (Courtesy of Killer Fitness)
Killer Fitness is the latest unique addition to the eclectic array of businesses that make up the motley marketplace at the heart of Magnolia Park and greater Burbank. With established staples like Halloween Town and the Mystic Museum, alongside newer arrivals such as the Horror Boodega, this distinctive corner of Los Angeles has become a place where it feels like every day is Halloween.
Over the years, Burbank has established itself as a year-round destination for horror enthusiasts, offering a wide range of items from creepy collectibles and graphic T-shirts to gothic-themed home décor. With a notable concentration of specialty shops and immersive experiences along Magnolia Boulevard, often referred to as “Horror Row” by locals, this distinctive area caters to fans of fright flicks, Halloween, and the eccentric elements of the morose.
Known as the “Media Capital of the World,” Burbank was founded in 1887 but began to thrive as a neighborhood in the 1930s and 1940s, due in large part to the rise of major film studios like Warner Bros. and Walt Disney, as well as the expansion of the aerospace industry led by Lockheed Martin during World War II. With deep roots in both entertainment and innovation, the city has fostered a creative community where niche interests flourish, particularly in makeup, special effects, and the visual arts.
Over time, Burbank’s supportive environment has attracted a community of creatives, drawing in independent retailers and artists whose themed businesses have flourished. The result is a unique destination for those drawn to the eerie, the unusual, and the artistically offbeat.
Dark Delicacies back in its heyday on Hollywood Way, back when Bruce Campbell had a signing at the famed bookstore. (Courtesy of Dark Delicacies)
Burbank’s creepy corridor can trace its roots to the original brick-and-mortar location of Dark Delicacies on Magnolia, where Killer Fitness currently stands. Founded in 1994 by Del and Sue Howison, “Dark Del” quickly became a cornerstone of the horror community. The bookstore hosted signings with icons like Guillermo del Toro, John Carpenter, and Ray Bradbury, while also celebrating the release of films, books, and collectibles that brought like-minded fans together.
“In many ways, we created a horror market that did not previously exist,” said Howison of Dark Delicacies’ lasting legacy. “Of course, many of the items that were created due to the availability of that market didn’t even exist when we opened. Our greatest singular accomplishment, I think, was that for those both young and old who needed their horror fix, we were their enablers.”
“I do believe the movement is too large to quash now, so I’m delighted it will live on,” Howison said.
Dark Delicacies when the vinyl of Monster Squad came out. (Courtesy of Dark Delicacies)
And live on it did. Dark Delicacies paved the way for alternative retail in Burbank, and soon, other shops followed suit. In 2007, Halloween Town opened its doors as the city’s first year-round Halloween store, offering more than just costumes. It delivered atmosphere, drama, and a fully immersive shopping experience, elevating the act of buying a Jack Skellington backpack into something truly cinematic.
Offering an inventory of costumes, knick-knacks, home goods, gifts, and art to book, Halloween Town soon became two locations, as Burbank’s dark arts district and “Horror Row” began to grow.
“Burbank has always embraced the weird and wonderful. That kind of openness creates space for small businesses like ours to thrive. Over time, more and more spooky shops, artists, and fans found their way here, and now it’s a destination,” said Erick Wessel, owner of the Mystic Museum and Horror Row’s latest entry, the Horror Boodega. “Whether it’s the incredible home haunts around Halloween or stores like ours, people know Burbank celebrates the strange and spooky year-round.”
(Courtesy of The Mystic Museum)
“Opening my shop in Burbank truly felt like fate. I had just come from vending at a market, feeling disheartened because the items I had crafted didn’t sell,” continues Wessel. “I was creatively unfulfilled in my day job and had started vending as a way to explore something more meaningful. After that tough market day, I took a long walk to clear my head and ended up on Magnolia Boulevard. That’s when I spotted a small house-turned-retail space for rent. I walked in, talked to the owners, and — just like that — everything changed. I took a leap and opened Bearded Lady Vintage and Oddities, a shop focused on antiques, curiosities, and the things I loved most. That little store eventually evolved into what is now known as The Mystic Museum. That walk didn’t just change my path – it reshaped my entire life.”
As for the latest endeavor, the Horror Boodega, was born from an idea that both celebrated the past and from a place of healing.
“We had one of the hardest years of our lives leading up to its opening,” explained manager Terri Rivera. “We both lost our parents just months apart. In the middle of grief, building The Horror Boodega became a way to heal – a joyful, creative outlet rooted in honoring the past and celebrating what we love.“
Over the years, Horror Row expanded its footprint, with new stores leaving their unique mark by offering not only collectible oddities for purchase but also immersive experiences and specialized services.
“We are part of the Burbank community and work hard to foster a warm and welcoming environment for all who wish to be part of our spooky little space. We do this in various ways: wine and paint nights, school field trips, movie nights,” said Jacqueline Haverland and Gaia Rhodes, owners of Vulture Culture Oddities. “We also do collaborations with local organizations and artists, opening our space to the broader Los Angeles community.”
Adding its unique storefront to the Burbank scene in 2023, Vulture Culture Oddities is a curiosity shop for curious folks looking for taxidermy services, prop and event space rentals, and home to a quirky collection of possibly haunted objects. Selling wacky wares from local artisans and established creators, the shop prides itself on providing a retail space for predominately female artists, though they embrace their entire community.
Magnolia Park may have been the starting point, but it didn’t take long for the strange and spooky to spill out across Burbank. The city’s reputation as a haven for horror lovers and monster merch only grew, turning the entire area into a destination for frightfully fun retail adventures. For many of the curators behind these eerie emporiums, it’s about more than just selling stuff.
“When you are into the macabre and things that are more outside the mainstream, it feels good to find like-minded souls and places that both celebrate and expand your interests,” said Bill Shafer, owner and curator of the Hyaena Gallery on Olive Ave. “The world can be very plastic and homogenized, and we are constantly being spoon-fed acceptable pop culture. Us monster kids and weirdos need places that make us feel like, even though we’re on the outside, it’s alright because we’re there with friends.”
Every day, the ebb and flow of Burbank’s little shops of horrors shift just a little more. Rising rents and landlords chasing bigger paydays have made it harder for new shops to open, while more and more beloved merchants are closing their doors for good.
“All the businesses tried like hell to make it a great, unique place for people to walk and shop,” reflected Howison. “They succeeded for a while. But it was an uphill battle against the landlords and the city.”
Still, the people who live, shop, and run businesses in Burbank and the surrounding areas fiercely defend what they consider theirs. Through outreach efforts and local organizations, they work hard to stay connected and protect the unique spirit of their neighborhood.
Though these shops might seem like novelties to the average passerby who may not see the appeal of a Suspiria-themed lunchbox or a fitness class designed to simulate escaping a machete-wielding maniac, they offer something deeper for the celluloid-obsessed residents of Burbank and Los Angelenos who live, breathe, and work in film: a sense of community.
Burbank’s sense of community is unmistakable, reflected in the over-the-top Halloween displays that overwhelm the senses each October, the citywide events that bring neighborhoods together, and the solidarity shown during the strikes, when workers rallied to support one another through lean times.
While the film and horror scenes extend far beyond city limits, Burbank remains a mecca where the bizarre and brilliant thrive. For many, these eccentric shops are more than just places to snag spider-webbed leggings or join a slasher-themed workout class: they offer a sense of belonging in a world often unkind to those who don’t fit the mold. Where misfits and dreamers once rode buses into the city in search of their people, today’s seekers of real-world connection can still find community in Burbank, where offbeat storefronts double as gathering places for the creatively inclined and proudly unconventional.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOGEYMEN AND VISIT THE VENDORS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE:
Killer Fitness
There are a few new Screen Queens on the block and they are here for all of your fitness, fashion, and horror event needs. Sign up for classes today.
822 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505
killerfitnessla.com
instagram.com/killerfitnessla
Classes: momence.com/u/killer-fitness-aKktmG
Upcoming Events: killerfitnessla.com/pages/events
Dark Delicacies
The former bookshop that started Horror Row might no longer be with us in the physical realm, but it is in spirit, or rather, online only.
www.darkdel.com
[email protected]
Hyaena Gallery
A gallery and shop focusing on macabre and lowbrow art, featuring works by outsider artists and pieces related to horror and true crime. A carefully cultivated collection of curios, crafts, crystals, candles, and cult classics.
1928 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 972-2448
instagram.com/hyaena_gallery
And check out: Ace of Vase
A music-oriented alternative florist featuring floral arrangements with a focus on goth, metal, and rock n’ roll. When you walk into Hyaena, you’ll first go through Ace of Vase’s area, so it’s a bit like walking through paradise to get to purgatory.
aceofvase.com
1928 West Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 940-6109
instagram.com/ace_of_vase
The Mystic Museum
“The Mystic Museum keeps horror alive and thriving through rotating themed art shows, unique interactive exhibits, custom photo ops, and meticulously designed retail.”
themysticmuseum.com
3204 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 433-7530
instagram.com/themysticmuseum
The Horror Boodega
The original haunted convenience store — your one-stop shop for scary snacks and spine-chilling movie memorabilia.
thehorrorboodega.com
3116 W Magnolia Blvd #104, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 562-7353
instagram.com/thehorrorboodega
Vulture Culture Oddities
“Your online haven for all things dark, odd and strange! Step into a world where beauty meets the bizarre and where curiosity takes flight.”
vulturecultureoddities.com
3802 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
(747) 241-8243
instagram.com/vulturecultureoddities
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS, MAGNOLIA PARK, AND THE MACABRE AND MADCAP MERCHANTS OF BURBANK:
Learn how you can help support Magnolia Park.
Plan a trip to Magnolia Park today.
Be Kind Rewind
Step into the past and rent your favorite slashers, creature features, and ‘80s classics today on VHS/DVD/Blu-Ray/4K.
bekindvideo.com
3601 1/2 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
(626) 720-4512
[email protected]
instagram.com/bekindvideo
Blast From the Past
A treasure trove of pop culture goodies, including horror-themed action figures, comics, and memorabilia.
blastfromthepast.tv
3117 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 557-7724
instagram.com/blastftp
The Crooked Path
Get crafting on your coven with a helping hand from the Crooked Path, an occult apothecary serving the community
thecrookedpathshop.com
2020 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 736-5919
instagram.com/thecrookedpath_la
The Green Man
A neighbor, family-owned apothecary operated by experienced spiritual, magical, metaphysical, and occult practitioners.
thegreenmanstore.com
824 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank CA 91505
(818) 985-2010
instagram.com/thegreenmanstore
Halloween Town
Burbank’s first year-round Halloween store. One store for costumes, the other for props, home decor, gifts, and more.
halloweentownstore.com
Original Store: 2921 W. Magnolia Bl. Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 848-3642
Costume Store: 3021 W. Magnolia Bl. Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 848-3644
instagram.com/halloweentownstore