A former church with a purple steeple now sells handmade oddities, and it shares the property with a graveyard. That alone had me hooked.
Inside, live reptiles live in creative enclosures, including old china cabinets turned into habitats. There’s even a bearded dragon on the roster.
I can’t imagine a stranger roommate for a jewelry case.
The shelves hold work from local artists, crafters, and makers across Ohio. Think paintings, needle art, books by local authors, and strange little treasures you didn’t know existed.
I like how the whole place celebrates being a little weird on purpose.
Some folks pop in for a quick look and stay for hours. The building practically begs you to slow down and poke around every corner.
Between the unusual animal enclosures and shelves filled with local artwork, the place offers plenty to look at beyond the merchandise. Even the building itself adds to the experience, making an ordinary shopping trip feel surprisingly different.
Follow The Purple Steeple To A Very Unusual Shop
Most shops don’t come with a steeple. Oddmall Outpost: Assembly of Odd sits inside a former church, and the purple steeple is your best landmark.
The building shares its grounds with an old graveyard. That setting fits the shop’s playful, slightly spooky personality almost too well.
Finding it can feel tricky the first time. Keep your eyes up and look for that splash of purple against the sky.
The shop is an offshoot of Oddmall, the well-known Ohio event series celebrating art, comics, and oddities. Oddmall Outpost brings that same spirit to a permanent home you can visit almost any day.
I like that the building itself feels like part of the art. A church turned into a gallery of handmade weirdness makes a memorable first impression.
Inside, the old architecture meets shelves packed with creative work. The contrast between the solemn shell and the cheerful chaos is half the fun.
Bring a curious mindset instead of a strict shopping list. The best finds here tend to be the ones you never planned on.
Families, art lovers, and collectors all find something to stare at. Even skeptics usually leave with a story about the church full of strange stuff.
Give yourself time to wander. This is the kind of place that rewards slow browsing and second looks at every shelf.
Say Hello To The Scaly Residents Living Among The Art
A bearded dragon lives here. That sentence alone explains why so many kids tug parents toward the back of the shop.
Reptiles are a big part of the Oddmall Outpost experience. Snakes, geckos, turtles, and amphibians share space with paintings and jewelry.
Some visitors have been able to hold or pet the bearded dragon. Always ask staff first, since animals have their own moods and schedules.
The animals add a living, breathing layer to the shop. It’s not every day you browse earrings while a turtle watches from its pond.
Kids especially love this part. Adults tend to pretend they’re just supervising, then linger longer than anyone.
Treat the animals like guests in their own home. Gentle voices and patient hands make the visit better for everyone involved.
Tapping on glass is a no-go. Reptiles feel vibrations, and a calm creature is a much better photo subject anyway.
If you’re a reptile keeper, you’ll probably notice the habitat designs right away. They’re built with the same creative energy that fills the rest of the building.
Plan a few extra minutes for this corner. Between the scales, shells, and curious eyes, it’s easy to lose track of time here.
Those China Cabinets Are Hiding Something Wild
Grandma’s china cabinet probably held teacups. At Oddmall Outpost, old cabinets have been turned into homes for snakes and reptiles.
That idea perfectly sums up the shop’s attitude. Ordinary objects get a second life as something stranger and more interesting.
The enclosures are decorated with creative touches inside. Each one feels like a tiny world built with care and imagination.
Turtle ponds and styled terrariums show up too. They blend into the space like art installations that happen to breathe.
I believe this is where the owners’ creativity shines brightest. The interior design leans into repurposing, and it shows almost everywhere you look.
For DIY fans, these displays spark plenty of ideas. You might start eyeing your own dusty furniture with fresh possibilities.
Take a slow lap and peek into each cabinet. Small details hide among the plants, rocks, and decorations.
Photos are tempting here, so be respectful. Skip the flash, since bright bursts aren’t friendly to animals.
These habitats also make great conversation starters. Kids will point, adults will ask questions, and somebody always wants to know how it was built.
It’s a reminder that weird and wonderful often come from the same place. A little imagination can transform almost anything.
Local Makers Fill Every Shelf With Something Unexpected
Behind nearly every item is a real person with a strange, brilliant idea. Oddmall Outpost: Assembly of Odd works as a multi-vendor space for artists and crafters.
The variety is huge. You’ll spot jewelry, paintings, needle art, and books written by local authors.
Some pieces lean cute, while others lean creepy. Plenty land somewhere delightfully in between.
Shopping here puts money directly toward independent creators. That makes every purchase feel a bit more meaningful than grabbing something at a big-box store.
Staff members are known to be knowledgeable about the vendors. Ask about a piece, and you may learn the story behind its maker.
Price points range widely across the shop. Small trinkets and bigger statement pieces share the same shelves.
Not everything on display is for sale, though. Some items are there purely to admire, so check before falling too hard.
Gift shoppers, take note. Finding a present nobody else will give is much easier in a room this full of one-of-a-kind work.
Bring a budget, but stay flexible.The perfect find might be behind a jar, under a painting, or sitting on a lower shelf.
Blind Boxes Make Shopping Feel Like A Game
Blind boxes fit right into this shop’s love of unusual surprises. You never know what strange little collectible might be waiting inside.
Blind boxes add a game-like twist to browsing. You pick one, open it, and accept whatever odd treasure fate hands you.
It’s a fun option for anyone who loves surprises. It’s also handy when you can’t decide between dozens of strange little things.
Oddities are a theme throughout the shop. The curious collection fits right alongside the art and handmade goods.
Kids and teens tend to love this kind of thing. Grown-ups who claim they’re too mature usually crack first.
Opening your box together turns a shopping trip into a mini event. Everyone gets a laugh, even if the prize is wonderfully bizarre.
Not into mystery buys? That’s fine, because the shelves offer plenty of things you can see before paying.
Still, I like the spirit of the blind box. It matches the whole shop’s message that weird surprises make life better.
Consider grabbing one as a souvenir. Few trips end with a story as memorable as unwrapping something odd from a former church in Ohio.
Pop Culture Fans Will Find Plenty To Geek Out Over
Star Wars fans, keep your eyes peeled. Pop culture pieces pop up around the shop, adding a nerdy spark to the oddities.
That makes sense, given the shop’s roots. Oddmall events have long celebrated comics, fandoms, and creative geek culture.
Here, that same energy shows up in fan art and themed crafts. Old and new items mix together on the shelves.
Collectors may find a quirky piece for their display. Casual fans might just enjoy spotting familiar characters in unfamiliar forms.
Handmade fan art has a charm mass-produced merch can’t match. Each piece reflects one maker’s take on a beloved story.
The inventory changes as vendors bring in new work. What you see on one visit may be gone the next time.
That’s a good reason to buy something you truly love. Hesitate too long, and someone else might take it home.
Bring a friend who shares your fandom. Pointing out hidden references together is half the fun of browsing.
Even non-fans will smile at the creativity on display. Seeing familiar icons reimagined in odd, artsy ways is pretty entertaining for anyone.
Artists Can Do More Than Just Shop Here
Creators aren’t just customers at Oddmall Outpost. The shop gives local artists a place to sell their work.
For makers, that matters a lot. A physical storefront helps people discover art they’d never find scrolling online.
The space has also been a gathering point for creative people. Some visitors mention learning new techniques and meeting fellow makers.
If you make jewelry, art, books, or crafts, it’s worth asking about vendor options. Staff can explain how things work.
I believe spaces like this keep local art scenes alive. They give weird ideas a real home instead of leaving them in sketchbooks.
The shop also connects to the larger Oddmall community. Its yearly events have helped build a network of Ohio creators.
Browsing as an artist feels different too. You’ll notice how others display, price, and package their work.
That kind of inspiration is hard to buy. It comes from seeing hundreds of creative choices in one room.
Even if you don’t sell anything, visiting can light a creative spark. You might go home ready to start your own strange little project.
Friday And Saturday Evenings Give You Extra Browsing Time
Late browsers get a break here. Oddmall Outpost stays open until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The rest of the week, doors open at 11 AM and close at 5 PM. That includes Sundays, which is handy for weekend road trips.
You’ll find it at 772 East Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, OH 44319. It’s in the southern part of the Akron area.
Plan for more time than you think you need. Some shoppers have stayed for hours and still wanted more.
Evening visits work well after school or work. The longer hours make it easier to squeeze in a fun weekend stop.
Check hours before heading out, especially around holidays. Small shops sometimes adjust their schedules.
A few notes help with planning. The building is a former church, and it may not be easy for wheelchair users to navigate.
Aisles can feel full, so stroller pushers should plan accordingly. Smaller bags make squeezing past displays much easier.
Some people drive a couple of hours just to visit. Considering how much there is to see, that road trip makes a lot of sense in Ohio.
Your Weird Side Is Welcome Here
Let your freak flag fly. That spirit sums up why Oddmall Outpost: Assembly of Odd feels so welcoming.
The art ranges from groovy to irreverent to a little spooky. Styles mix freely, and that variety is the whole point.
Inclusive art has a home on these shelves. Many different voices and identities show up in the work.
Staff are widely described as friendly and helpful. One team member even shares tips on other fun things to do nearby.
The vibe isn’t stiff or fancy. It feels more like a creative clubhouse that happens to sell art.
Shy browsers can still wander at their own pace. Others who love chatting will find plenty of people happy to talk.
Families have brought kids of different ages and found plenty to keep them busy. Teens especially seem drawn to the oddball energy.
Not every piece will match every taste. That’s part of the adventure, and it makes the right find feel even better.
Akron has plenty of attractions, but few are this playfully strange. If Ohio had an official headquarters for creative weirdness, this purple-steepled church would be a strong contender.
