For 26 years, Bennett’s Curse has anchored Maryland’s Halloween season, drawing families through elaborate corridors of monsters, sound effects, and theatrical dread. Now, as CBS News reported, the popular haunted attraction faces an uncertain future following the closure of Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk, where it operated for the past decade.
The impending departure marks the end of an era at the Dundalk shopping center, but it also triggers the fifth relocation in the attraction’s history. Co-founders Allan and Jill Bennett originally launched the venture after an experience at a haunted hayride, steadily building it into a regional staple that recently earned the No. 2 spot in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Haunted Attraction in America, according to WMAR-2 News.
A Final Season in Dundalk
Visitors walking the halls this autumn encounter a production heavily upgraded with new sound and lighting designs. Yet the festive atmosphere carries the weight of transition. According to WMAR-2 News reporting, the closure of Eastpoint Mall forces the enterprise out after a ten-year residency, following an earlier multi-year run at Arundel Mills.
“It’s sad because we’re leaving a community. We don’t know if we’ll be able to stay within this region or not, or where we’ll be,” Jill Bennett told WMAR-2 News. The current operating schedule keeps the doors open Friday through Sunday until November 7, giving patrons a final window to experience the attraction in its longtime home.
The Logistics of Moving a 20,000-Square-Foot Production
Dismantling and reassembling a seasonal operation spanning more than 20,000 square feet presents a massive logistical hurdle. The leadership team requires a substantial physical footprint, ample parking capacity, and a landlord willing to accommodate a specialized entertainment venue.
“Because we are a small business, it’s a struggle,” Jill Bennett noted to CBS News, explaining that finding an affordable and adequately sized commercial space in the current real estate market remains a primary obstacle.
To find a site, the owners have partnered with Baltimore County Economic Development to evaluate potential new locations across the region. At the same time, they have appealed directly to the public for commercial leads that might fit their spatial requirements.
More Than a Business
Beyond the sets and animatronics, the attraction functions as a tight-knit community for a large crew of seasonal performers. WMAR-2 News noted that the cast features participants ranging from nurses and EMTs to accountants and bankers, including actors who have remained with the production for 24 of its 26 years.
“It’s like a family, we build friendships with them, but it’s from all walks of life,” Jill Bennett told WMAR-2 News, emphasizing that the behind-the-scenes community is just as vital to the operation as the paying guests.
While some seasonal events will pause while the move is underway, the founders remain focused on securing a viable commercial lease to keep the long-running tradition alive in Maryland.
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