Cherish Harrell first started collecting oddities (and later selling them) when she attended huge conventions like Cincinnati’s HorrorHound or one of the giant regional Days of the Dead events.
Soon, though, she realized that perhaps there was a market for her eclectic and bizarre collection outside of the crowds at the big-city convention centers, and this month, Harrell celebrates the seventh anniversary of opening the Secret Chamber House of Oddities and Artwork in her hometown.
“I wanted a place where people could see those things and have access to them without having to deal with the convention life,” Harrell says. “So I brought it back home to Fairborn.”
Cherish Harrell, owner of the Secret Chamber House of Oddities and Artwork in Fairborn.
The Secret Chamber is not just a store; it’s a hub of creativity and community.
“We host art shows based on themes like Friday the 13th or cryptids,” says Harrell. “We also host themed classes that include making spell kits, crystals, or spooky terrariums.”
Among the events that draw the biggest crowds are the photo shoots with Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon monster from central European folklore that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime; and the evil bunny during Easter.
Stepping into the Secret Chamber, visitors are greeted by an array of interesting and extraordinary items.
“We have an authentic two-headed baby buffalo and an iron tiger that came from the Americana amusement park carousel ride,” Harrell says. “We also have skeletons, haunted dolls, and a ghost cat who is always causing havoc in the shop — tripping people, knocking things off shelves ... a lot.”
The items inside the Secret Chamber are sourced from a network of artists and sellers across the country, as well as oddity stores, flea markets, and roadside sales wherever she finds them.
One of the highlights of the Secret Chamber is its $5 haunted dungeon museum, open to anyone over the age of 18. “It’s a collection of my own of things that have been brought to me or I have acquired, including a large amount of said-to-be haunted items, serial-killer memorabilia, and funeral and morgue supplies,” Harrell says. “We even have a visiting skeleton named Rosie.”
Beyond its often spine-chilling collections, the Secret Chamber aims to be an inclusive haven for all.
“I want a sanctuary for the weird. Everyone should feel like they have a place to go,” she says. “Unlike other oddity stores, I wanted mine to be based on everyone, not just the dark kids obsessed with black and death. I want that cosplay kid in bunny ears, that anime adult, or even that guy who acts like a dog. ‘Weird’ isn’t just Wednesday Addams.”
The shop showcases items from a variety of cultures, including Indian burners, Mexican artwork, Day of the Dead, New Orleans voodoo superstitions, and even Bigfoot — and it’s garnered a significant following, drawing visitors from near and far.
“A lot of people want to see what the Secret House of Oddities and Artwork offers, and because I refuse to sell online, the only way you can buy from me is to come to my store. It’s pretty awesome to hear on a daily basis someone say this is their favorite store or the coolest place they’ve ever been,” Harrell says. “Last summer, we even had Alice Cooper visit.”
Harrell’s favorite moments are when she witnesses the excitement of visitors discovering something truly unique.
“I love when people walk around excited, and I hear them whispering, ‘OMG, that’s amazing.’ It’s pretty cool when someone tells you they drove three or four hours just to see you. It creates a constant challenge to bring new things people have never experienced.”
Of course, Harrell also sees plenty of visitors who make a trip to the Secret Chamber an annual event.
“Tons of people come back year after year, some visiting family, others making me a destination on their way through,” Harrell says. “I don’t think people understand the advantage of being so close to the [National Museum of the U.S. Air Force] or highway junctions like Interstates 70, 75, and 675. People put me on their map.”
Despite its spooky leanings that might suggest otherwise, the Secret Chamber is not just a seasonal attraction; in fact, Harrell says that while Halloween obviously inspires folks to drop in, the fascination doesn’t stop on the Day of the Dead.
Harrell is committed to keeping the shop’s contents fresh and exciting, and she also keeps it visible and active out in the community, participating in charity events such as the Vampire Ball on Oct. 5 at Fairborn’s Phoenix Theater; the Living Dead Prom in June; and an animal welfare fundraiser.
“I believe you have a better experience coming other times because we, and several other places on the street, are open all year round without the crowds,” Harrell says. “We are a lifestyle for many, and I will never stop coming up with fun, weird ideas.”
The Secret Chamber House of Oddities and Artwork
17 W. Main St., Fairborn, OH 45324
Open noon–6 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday
