Haunted House's humble beginnings

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Haunted Scarecrow's Scream Factory is a big haunted house that opens its doors Friday, October 26th.

It was not always a giant production, the owner started it in his neighborhood.

"We went from just having a few people stop by, to get candy and stuff through the garage, to a line from around the corner of my house," said haunted house creator Jeff Lepori

Lepori wanted to scare the neighbors, now he's scaring all of Albuquerque. For the past three Halloweens, he has taken over a Southeast community center, near Zuni and San Pedro, and converted it to a horror scene.

"When he came here saying he wanted to do something involving a haunted house, I mean it fits right in with what we do. We're unconventional, we're awkward, we're quirky," said Jeffrey Holland of the non-profit company, Endorphin Power Company.

All of the ticket sales will help recovering substance abusers as well as homeless people. They can use the sober-living quarters right next door to the community center.

The first of the haunted house made less than $2,000. Last year, they reached $5,000.

"This year, we're hoping to double, if not, triple that," said Holland.

Next year, Lepori plans to move the haunted house to Downtown Albuquerque to fit even more scare seekers.