Novak Manor could shut down after West Allis issues permit violation notice for iconic Halloween attraction

 

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's the 7,000-square ft. nightmare on Montana Street.

Novak Manor, an iconic Halloween attraction in West Allis, claims to be Milwaukee's largest home haunt.

From the clown tent in the back to the slaughterhouse out front and all of the decorations in between, there's something for everyone.

Patty and Adam Novak, the brains behind the operation, first opened the manor more than a decade ago.

"We've created a fun and immersive walk-through for families every year to come and enjoy," Patty Novak told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White.

About four years ago, they started partnering with local organizations like the Bikers Advocating Child Safety (BACS), a group who helps abused children.

"Novak Manor is our biggest contributor," said BACS co-founder Jamie Donald. "It's allowed us to help a lot and do a lot of good." 

Each year, BACS sends volunteers to be live actors in the experience, dressing up as iconic horror characters from Michael Myers to Freddy Kreuger. 

"We put our blood, sweat, and tears into this," Novak said. 

The couple spend several months out of each year preparing to go bigger and better than the last -- and their hard efforts pay off. Last year, more than 9,000 people came to see the sights in just the five weeks the manor was open.

Admission is $1, and donations are always welcomed. One hundred percent of proceeds raised from either ticket or merchandise sales go toward area nonprofits and families in need.

“When we think of haunted houses, we think of scares and we think of good times, and they came through at one of our worst times," said Joe Nabak, who volunteers at the manor. “Last year, our son, in the month of May, was going through a bunch of medical disorders and seizures and stuff like that, and Novak Manor, Patty and Adam, they heard all about it and without any hesitation, immediately said we want to help."

Nabak said their thousands of dollars in financial contributions allowed his son, Noah, to receive necessary treatment. 

“Now, Noah is a healthy 14-year-old boy that manages his diabetes -- very well, I might say -- and we go to infusions," said Lauren Gauger, Noah's mother, adding that her son is healthy enough to volunteer as a live actor. "He loves scaring people!" 

But as of Monday, Oct. 16, it could all come to an end, after the Novaks received a notice from the City of West Allis that after this Halloween, they would need to shut down.

“Unfortunately, we were told that we are in violation of a code from the city, that we are not allowed to invite people onto our property," Novak said. 

In a statement to CBS 58, the city said they had received a complaint that said visitors were being allowed to enter the property and structure.

The special event permit the couple had applied for in January 2023 only "allows visitors to block the right-of-way; it does not allow visitors to enter the property or enter structures on the property due to the residential zoning code.

"It was devastating," Novak said. "To know that could all get taken away is just heartbreaking."

So, she turned to social media.

"Unfortunately, these last two weekends will be our last," Novak said in an emotional Facebook Live. 

Within hours, there were hundreds of shares and comments, with people asking what they could do to save the manor.

A Change.org petition was also created to help.

"It's their passion, every year, to help the community have clean, good old-fashioned fun, you know, and for this to be just pulled from them, out from under the rug, is just sad," said Denise Koepp, who's visited the manor for years with her family. "Their creativity, the way they make the blood look real everywhere. It's just spooky, frightening, and what Halloween is all about."

What started out as fear for fun is now fear for the future.

“How can you take that away from a family and from a community that has thrived because Novak Manor has given them something to do?” Nabak said.

The Novaks said they are working with the city attorney and other officials to try and come to an agreement before next year.

“If there’s additional permits or anything else legally that we have to do, we’ll find a way for sure," Adam Novak said. "We just don’t want there to be a for sure 'no.'”

If you want to check it out, the manor is open on Fridays and Saturdays in October from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 9730 W Montana Ave.

The City of West Allis statement reads in full:

In January 2023, Novak Manor applied for, and the City granted, a Special Event Permit for Novak Manor to operate a Charity Haunt, allowing people to view the Halloween display from the public right-of-way.

On October 15, 2023, the City of West Allis received a complaint regarding the impact of Novak Manor’s home haunt, calling attention to the fact that Novak Manor was allowing visitors to enter the property and structure.

The special event permit that was granted, however, is to allow visitors to block the right-of-way; it does not allow visitors to enter the property or enter structures on the property due to the residential zoning code.

The property owners have been informed about what the special event permit and zoning regulations allow and exclude. In an effort to balance community support for this event with the code requirements, the City will not take enforcement action for the remainder of the 2023 event season.

The City of West Allis appreciates all the work the Novak family has done within the community, raising funds for charity while providing low-cost fall entertainment for the residents of West Allis and beyond.

After the season completes, the City looks forward to continuing to work with the property owners to find ways to keep Novak Manor in the community for years to come.