Hartford occult shop to be turned into supernatural attraction THIS STORY IS EMBARGOED UNTIL 8:30 P.M. ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT
The coronavirus pandemic has destroyed many businesses, including Curioporium, the Hartford shop full of occult artifacts and oddities. But the store will be resurrected in a new form. It will reopen in January as a supernatural attraction, offering immersive experiences with ghosts, lost souls, opened vaults and ghoulish artifacts.
Nathan Nunez, who owns the shop, teamed up with Joey Marsocci of Hartford-based Grymm Studios, which produces haunted attractions and steampunk artworks. The new attraction, which also will be called Curioporium, was announced on Facebook on Halloween night.
“Patrons will have the opportunity to experience the world of the strange and unusual. They will be greeted by their host in Le Grande Salon, where they will learn the history of the Curioporium benefactors, the Havishams. Then the vault will open where they will walk and view exhibits in the Hall of Unnatural History, sit in the Parlor of Lost Souls, take a journey into the occult and supernatural in The Veil,” Nunez wrote in a statement.
Marsocci said the vibe will be creepy – geared toward adults – but humorous. “It’ll be a little bit tongue in cheek,” he said.
He added that the attraction may sound like an escape room, but it’s not. “It’s more of a theatrical experience,” Marsocci said. Guests will be encouraged to dress in period costume.
Groups of up to six people at a time can experience the attraction on Friday and Saturday nights at the venue at 1429 Park St. in Hartford, across the aisle from Pine & Iron Axe Throwing. The 90-minute show will include a half hour of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Masks must be worn and social distancing must be maintained. Details: curioporium.com.
Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
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