House of Monsters has quickly become San Antonio’s go-to destination for horror enthusiasts. As the official home of Famous Monsters of Filmland, the shop offers an extensive selection of horror-inspired goods — including apparel, toys, VHS tapes, vinyl records, patches and stickers. A curated assortment of band collectibles and rare accessories adds to the immersive experience.
Opened in September 2023 by Chris Ott, House of Monsters serves as San Antonio’s home of the thriving horror, metal and punk communities. Ott has had a running horror-themed clothing line for over a decade
, and he launched the store after relocating to the city in 2021. The shop features designs from his collection as well as merchandise from independent artists discovered at horror and pop culture conventions across the country.
“I’ve had a horror-themed clothing line for about 16 years, and I mostly travel the country doing conventions, horror conventions and stuff,” Ott said. “After I moved to San Antonio in 2021, I just wanted to open up a shop here because there’s a good horror scene here in San Antonio, a lot of fans of horror, metal and punk and all the stuff that I’m into. So, we open up a store here with a bunch of our clothes that we create. But then I also curate some stuff from other independent artists from around the country that I do other conventions with, and I bring some of their merchandise here for people who may not catch it otherwise, kind of giving representation.”
Upon entering the store, visitors are greeted by an array of band T-shirts spanning multiple genres. Adjacent displays feature apparel dedicated to classic horror cinema, including designs inspired by “The Exorcist,” “The Crow,” and “Scream.” The store is laid out across several themed rooms — one dedicated to horror fashion brands and another glowing with neon lights and lined wall-to-wall with retro VHS tapes.
House of Monsters also offers rare memorabilia, such as vintage metal magazines signed by Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and collectible items autographed by Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne.
In addition to retail offerings, the store actively supports local art and culture. Events are frequently held in collaboration with local businesses like Robot Monster, often featuring vendor pop-ups and showcases by San Antonio-based artists.
“We do stuff with like Robot Monster, where we’ll hold events and sometimes have other local artists set up out front on the patio and have vendors.” Ott has strongly supported independent businesses, noting the long-term benefits of community-based spending. “I personally try to shop locally every chance I get because corporations aren’t looking out for us. You put the money back in your community, and they’re going to spend it back with you, and we keep everybody moving.”
House of Monsters is located at 517 E Woodlawn Ave just off St. Mary’s Strip.
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