Larry Kirchner refuses to stop making St. Louis creepier by the year.
In 1994, he started The Darkness, an attraction that’s since earned a place as one of the nation’s highest-rated Halloween haunts. He later opened the neighboring St. Louis Escape, a year-round escape room and miniature golf venture. St. Louis Escape and The Darkness comprise just two wings of the multifaceted Halloween Productions Inc. The group also manages Creepyworld in Fenton and the Lemp Brewery’s haunted house, and it crafts attractions for buyers worldwide.
Kirchner says the drive to evolve is spurred by increased attention from fans on social media and professionals in the haunt industry. Each March, America’s Center hosts TransWorld’s Halloween & Attractions Show, where industry pros learn about the latest haunting innovations and products. Kirchner also opens The Darkness for tours during this time, which he says keeps him accountable for filling his business with cutting-edge animatronics and visual effects. “We’re not thinking about St. Louis,” he says. “We’re thinking about haunters from around the world.”…