A local business in downtown St. Charles, Ghoulish Mortals, is not easily overlooked. Three monstrous tentacles creep out of the horror shop, beckoning passersby to step into the frightful world. Ghoulish Mortals is not just a store; it is a haven for people who love all things spooky and macabre.
The idea for Ghoulish Mortals began when Dove Thiselton and her husband moved to St. Charles from California, and they were shocked to find that the Midwest was deprived of horror stores. Once they settled in St. Charles and began to look for places to open their store, Thiselton knew that the spot on Main Street was perfect.
“This quarter space was available, and so we looked at it for 30 seconds after walking in the door, and I’m like, ‘I know what this would look like one day,’” Thiselton said.
The shop’s items include gargoyle statues, stuffed animals with giant teeth leaking blood and much more.
“We sell plushies, T-shirts, magnets, pins, necklaces, little PVC, pins, necklaces, banks that look like characters, board games, card games, flappy ear hats,” said Thiselton.
Ghoulish Mortals’ bestselling items are all of their 3D printed items.
“Our bestselling item right now is all the 3D printed stuff. They are probably 25% of our sales, which is crazy to think that three or four years ago, people simply didn’t have 3D printers, to where they are today,” said Thiselton.
Thiselton has a busy schedule, but she does not mind.
“I work seven days a week, so I’m always here. And I don’t think I could do that unless I truly, absolutely love the place,” Thiselton said.
In Ghoulish Mortals, animations of ladies turning into monsters and creepy carnival clowns reign supreme. It is a two-story store, and when you walk inside, there is a staircase leading down to a whole new floor of horror. Walking downstairs and hearing the scary sounds coming from the speakers feels like stepping straight into a horror movie. Thiselton has always been a horror fan, as evidenced by her store.
“I just like the unexpectedness of it,” Thiselton said. “I mean, if you see a really good horror movie that just has a new plot … it’s just so creative.”
While Ghoulish Mortals is a store for everyone, the store has a feminine touch to it.
“Probably 70% of our customers are girls. And so, I like having artists that have creepy, cute stuff, not just bloody gross stuff,” said Thiselton.
She added that horror is not quite as unpopular as people think. Ghoulish Mortals’ busiest season is from Halloween until Christmas because people enjoy buying horror-related presents for their loved ones. Perhaps a bloody doll, or for people who prefer the milder side of horror, a scary hat. In fact, her favorite item is art printed by Ghoulish Bunny, a horror item creator.
“I really like her style, and she’s always coming out with cute and feminine slant art,” said Thiselton.
Not only does the store showcase art and decorative items, but it also offers serious sales. Behind the scenes, Thiselton primarily operates on a consignment basis and chooses to buy things individually. However, licensed and copyrighted products must be acquired through a distributor and in bulk.
“My focus is all handmade and created items,” Thiselton said.
All in all, Thiselton’s love for horror is showcased through her and her husband’s store, which has a diverse collection of horror items for everyone to find their thing.
“Horror is just so creative, like a song or art or something like that. I mean, it’s truly an art piece unto itself,” Thiselton said.
