DeKALB — Step into the creative world of Mr. Willy’s Dark Art and Oddities, where darkness reveals unusual beauty and curiosity awaits around every corner.

In the shop, tucked in downtown DeKalb at 150 E. Lincoln Highway, shelves are lined with curiosities: handcrafted spell candles, intention soaps like bergamot negative release, framed photographs of haunted locations such as the Billy Creek Village schoolhouse, handmade jewelry, spell kits, preserved specimens and pop-culture horror collectibles – including boxed Wednesday dolls – Friday the 13th decorations and more.

The vision behind the store comes from Willy Adkins, co-owner and founder of Mr. Willy’s Dark Art and Oddities, which operates under Adkins’ parent company, Breaking Fate Entertainment. 

Adkin’s work has spanned film, live events, radio and the nonprofit Twisted Wish Productions, which grew out of his Spook Show charity fundraising event that combined different arts, including live music, and was described by Adkins as a “make wishes come true type of thing.”

But the storefront represents a new chapter.

“DeKalb is my home,” Adkins said, “and having something like this here just kind of felt like a no-brainer. There’s nothing like this, and that alone appeals to people.”

Adkins believes the shop is more than a retail space, it represents a broader philosophy that embraces the dark parts of life with humor, creativity and hope.

“We all are surrounded by darkness,” he said. “It’s not about ignoring the negative but finding the positive in every situation to overcome that negative.”

This mindset is woven into the shop’s atmosphere, near the entrance, where a “community altar,” as Adkins describes it, is meant to welcome and engage visitors.

Adkins acknowledged receiving some local skepticism.

“I’ve had emails from people who feel we’re bringing a demon to town,” he said.

However, he insists the experience inside tells a different story.

He referenced the upcoming workshops, soon to be announced, as part of what the shop has to offer. These will cater to a variety of age groups, from hands-on activities for children like exploring owl pellets (compact masses made up of the indigestible remains of an owl’s meal, including fur, bones, feathers and teeth), to adult-oriented projects in ethical taxidermy and entomology.

A core principle of the shop is supporting artists. Roughly 80% of the inventory comes from independent creators, both local and nationwide, offering a platform for artists to share and sell their work.

Adkin’s personal artwork, ranging from pyrography to airbrush painting, will be shown alongside pieces by other artists, contributing to the shop’s creative and artistic ethos.

Above all, the shop strives to normalize curiosity and appreciation of the unusual.

“We make it more normal to be weird and curious,” Adkins said.

He frames the experience as playful rather than frightening, a space where visitors can appreciate the artistry in dark subjects while discovering humor and beauty within the macabre.

“The storytelling behind some of these pieces that have nothing to do with anything dark at all are quite entertaining sometimes,” Adkins said.

The business’s Facebook page is the best place to stay connected, with a newsletter launching soon to keep its growing community in the loop.

From the workshops that invite discovery, to the oddities that spark laughter, the shop reflects its founder’s belief that even life’s darker corners can contain a glimmer of light.

“We keep it very boutique style in the store on purpose. It’s something we keep calling beautiful dirt. We’re taking dirt and making it beautiful,” Adkins said.

For avid fans and newcomers looking to experience the creativity and curiosities of the shop on a larger scale, Mr. Willy’s Dark Art and Oddities will host the Dark Art and Oddities Con, an annual event that features the store’s unique collection, workshops and independent artists. 

The first con was held in 2019 at the Red Roof Inn & Suites, and since then it has found a home at NIU’s Altgeld Hall. This year’s event will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 at Altgeld Hall. Tickets are available on the event website.