Halloween does not end in October at this Sterling Heights ice cream shop. Twisty’s Tricks and Treats combines horror-themed sundaes and milkshakes with movie memorabilia, collectibles, and horror films playing on a big screen.
The menu gets in on the theme, too, with creations like the Ghost Face sundae, Walking Dead Milkshake, Frankie milkshake, and Chucky sundae. The shop keeps the horror theme going year-round while making the experience approachable for families and younger Halloween fans.
That combination turns a simple ice cream stop into something closer to a year-round Halloween destination.
Where You Can Find This Halloween Haven
A strip along East 14 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, Michigan, is not where most people expect to find a year-round Halloween experience, but that is exactly what makes discovering Twisty’s Tricks and Treats so satisfying. The shop sits at 13265 E 14 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312, tucked into a commercial stretch that gives no hint of the spooky world waiting inside.
Getting there is straightforward whether you are coming from nearby neighborhoods or making a longer trip across the metro Detroit area. Families from Farmington have made the drive and called it completely worth it, which says a lot about the pull this place has.
Hours vary by day, so it helps to plan ahead. The shop is open Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm.
Monday and Tuesday are closed, making midweek and weekend visits the sweet spot.
The Origin Story Behind the Spooky Scoop Shop
Twisty’s Tricks and Treats opened its doors on October 1st, and the timing was no accident. Launching at the start of the spookiest month of the year set the tone perfectly for what owner Jessica had in mind from the very beginning.
Jessica did not just slap some cobwebs on the walls and call it a theme. Every choice, from the ice cream brand to the horror memorabilia on display, was made with intention.
She chose Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream specifically because it is a Michigan company, and that local loyalty matters to her deeply.
The shop’s philosophy centers on creating a welcoming space where horror lovers of all ages feel at home without feeling overwhelmed. Jessica rotates flavors regularly to keep things fresh and exciting for repeat visitors.
Her hands-on approach and genuine passion for both the horror genre and the community around her are what turned a cool concept into a thriving neighborhood destination.
An Atmosphere That Hits Differently Than Any Other Ice Cream Shop
The moment you walk through the door, the decorations demand your attention. Horror memorabilia covers nearly every surface, with nods to Ghostbusters, Nightmare Before Christmas, classic slasher films, and even Five Nights at Freddy’s tucked into corners and shelves throughout the space.
A big screen plays horror movies continuously while the shop is open, which adds a layer of atmosphere that most dessert spots simply cannot compete with. There is also a comfy couch where guests can settle in and enjoy the full cinematic experience alongside their ice cream.
What impresses most visitors is the balance the shop strikes between genuinely spooky and totally family-friendly. The decorations are detailed and immersive without being too frightening for younger kids, which is a harder line to walk than it sounds.
One four-year-old celebrated her birthday here because she was obsessed with Halloween, and by all accounts, it was the perfect fit. And wait until you hear about the character waiting to greet little ones.
Meet Zeke the Zombie and the Friendly Faces of the Shop
Zeke the zombie is one of the shop’s most beloved surprises, especially for younger visitors. Kids get to meet Zeke during their visit, and for a three-year-old on a first trip to the shop, that kind of interaction creates a memory that sticks around long after the ice cream is gone.
Beyond the in-store character, the staff at Twisty’s consistently earns high praise for being warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about what they do. Jessica herself is frequently highlighted as the heart of the operation, taking time to chat with guests about their favorite horror films and making each person feel like a regular even on their first visit.
The energy in the shop feels less like a transaction and more like hanging out with people who actually love what they do. Clean tables, thick straws, and staff who take real pride in mixing every shake thoroughly are the kind of details that turn a one-time visit into a standing habit.
The treats themselves are the next chapter worth exploring.
The Spooky Sundaes and Milkshakes Worth Screaming About
Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream serves as the foundation for everything on the menu, and it is a strong foundation to build on. The flavors are rotated regularly, which keeps the menu feeling new and gives regulars a reason to keep coming back to see what Jessica has added.
The Ghost Face sundae features Oreo ice cream topped with a vivid red blood-style sauce that looks almost too dramatic to eat. Almost.
The Walking Dead Milkshake is typically made with coffee ice cream but can also be ordered with Oreo or cookie dough for those who prefer a different flavor profile.
Other named options include the Frankie milkshake, the Carrie shake, and the Chucky sundae, each one carrying its own horror-movie personality. Shakes are mixed thoroughly so every sip delivers the full flavor combination, and the thick straws make sure nothing gets lost on the way up.
Prices are reasonable, with two scoops reported at around seven dollars, making the experience accessible for families.
Candy, Cakesickles, and Collectibles You Did Not Know You Needed
Twisty’s is not just an ice cream shop with some decorations on the wall. The retail side of the business adds a whole separate reason to visit, with horror-themed collectibles, novelties, and gifts covering a range of fandoms and price points.
Keychains featuring everything from classic horror icons to beloved metal bands line the shelves, making it easy to find something personal even if you came in just for a shake. Candy is stocked alongside cakesickles, giving visitors a few different treat formats to choose from beyond the ice cream menu.
Local artists also have their work represented in the shop, which adds a handmade, community-driven dimension to the merchandise selection. The variety means that a single visit can easily turn into a mini shopping trip for horror enthusiasts who appreciate finding unique items outside of big-box retail.
Whether you are hunting for a birthday gift or just browsing, the shelves reward close attention with unexpected finds around every corner.
Events That Turn the Shop Into a Community Hub
Trivia nights at Twisty’s have included themes like Friday the 13th Trivia and Slasher Trivia, drawing in horror fans who want to test their knowledge in a setting that matches their enthusiasm. Horror bingo events add another social format for guests who prefer something a little more luck-based than competitive.
The shop also opens its space to small businesses, hosting vendor events where local sellers can set up and reach new customers. The first birthday bash for the shop included vendors, raffles, and face painting, turning a milestone into a full community celebration.
Private events are available as well, covering birthday parties and family get-togethers for groups who want the full Twisty’s experience in a more personal setting. The shop has also promoted itself at events like the Detroit Horror Con, connecting with the broader horror community beyond its own walls.
Each event reinforces the idea that this is a place built around people, not just product. There is also a charitable side to the story worth knowing.
Giving Back While Keeping It Spooky
A portion of sales from select events at Twisty’s goes toward raising money to fight Alzheimer’s disease, which adds a meaningful layer to an already community-minded business. Horror and heart are not always the combination people expect, but Jessica has made it work in a way that feels completely natural.
Supporting a cause like Alzheimer’s research through an ice cream and gift shop might sound unconventional, but the shop’s audience responds to it. The regulars who come back week after week are investing in a business that invests back in the community around it.
The charitable angle also says something about the values driving the operation. Twisty’s is not just trying to sell sundaes.
It is trying to build something that matters, and the fundraising efforts reflect that longer-term thinking. For visitors who care about spending their money at businesses with a conscience, this detail makes the choice to stop in feel even more satisfying.
The games and activities inside add yet another reason to linger.
Games, Photo Ops, and Reasons to Stay Longer Than Planned
Beyond the ice cream and the merchandise, Twisty’s offers a handful of in-store activities that make it easy to stretch a visit well past the time it takes to finish a shake. A claw machine sits in the shop, and table games are available to borrow and bring to your seat while you enjoy your treats.
Photo opportunities are scattered throughout the space, with decorations and setups detailed enough to make every shot look like it came from a professional haunted attraction. Guests have described taking pictures of every corner of the shop, which is a natural reaction when the level of design is this intentional.
Horror movies run continuously on the big screen, giving the whole experience a backdrop that keeps the atmosphere alive even during quieter moments. The combination of games, visuals, and entertainment means that Twisty’s functions more like a destination than a quick stop.
Families with kids who need a little extra engagement will find plenty to keep everyone busy between bites.
Why Horror Fans Keep Coming Back Season After Season
The shop carries a perfect rating across dozens of reviews, and the consistency of that feedback is telling. Guests who visit once tend to mention when they plan to return, which is the clearest sign that the experience delivers on its promise every single time.
Horror fans who travel back to Michigan from out of state list Twisty’s as one of their first stops, placing it in the same category as hometown restaurants people crave when they have been away too long. That kind of loyalty is earned slowly and lost quickly, which makes Jessica’s track record all the more impressive for a shop that is still relatively new.
The decorations get updated, the flavors rotate, and the events keep the calendar interesting, so returning visitors always find something slightly different from their last trip. For people who love the genre year-round rather than just in October, this shop feels less like a novelty and more like a natural extension of how they already live.
And that is exactly the point.
Tips for Planning Your First Visit to Twisty’s
Checking the hours before heading out is a smart first move, since the shop is closed Monday and Tuesday and does not open until 1 pm on any day it operates. Fridays and Saturdays offer the latest closing time at 9 pm, making those evenings ideal for a more leisurely visit.
Following the shop on social media before your trip pays off because event announcements, flavor updates, and vendor days get posted there first. Trivia nights and special events tend to fill the space with extra energy, so catching one of those on your first visit gives you the full Twisty’s experience right away.
Bringing kids is encouraged, and the staff genuinely enjoys interacting with younger visitors. Arriving a little hungry is also a reasonable strategy since the menu covers enough variety to make choosing difficult in the best possible way.
The phone number for the shop is plus one 586-838-5050 if you want to call ahead and ask about current flavors or upcoming events before making the trip.
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