How a Toronto restaurant turned a derelict shack next door into its side hustle
Toronto's Mamma Martino's Pasta and Pizzeria has a terrifying secret behind the Etobicoke restaurant, with a spooky-looking house at the rear of the Italian eatery, known as Martino Manor, touted as the "scariest haunted attraction" in town.
Known for the faint of heart, Martino Manor is a 20-minute experience that takes the bravest of the brave into a haunted manor filled with blood, gore, violence, and terrifying characters. However, this attraction is more than just a seasonally themed Halloween experience; it's a Martino family passion.
Martino Manor is named for the adjacent Mamma Martino's, and the family behind the Italian restaurant is entering its seventh year of operating this annual haunted house. Fernando Martino, the 29-year-old mastermind behind the thrilling experience, has a passion for all things Halloween decor.
"My father, Bruno Martino, owned a rundown property attached to our restaurant. He called in a demo crew to assess the cost of renovations needed to make the place livable again. That's when I started joking around with my father, telling him that we should ultimately turn the old house into a haunt for October," Fernando told blogTO.
Little did Fernando know that Bruno had taken his suggestion into serious consideration. In the end, the joke suggestion became a real mission when Bruno gave his son the funds to convert the old shack into another family business: Martino Manor.
"I felt like I had won the Lotto 6/49 that day," Fernando recalls. And, after years of operation, Fernando has high hopes for the future. This year, they're even introducing a new addition to the experience.
"There will be a new cabin for patrons to walk through." The story behind the latest scare is dark and deep, revolving around "a taxidermist whose son has passed away. Unable to bear the loss, he taxidermies his own son and hides him in their home, only for his wife to discover the son's body and be completely disgusted by her husband."
The story continues, but patrons will have to experience the haunted house themselves to find out how it ends.
Fernando, who has a love for Halloween decor and haunts, commends his mom, Gayla, and his dad for their continued support. He says that it's a whole family effort to make his dreams and Martino Manor a success each year, and he can't thank them enough.
The attraction opens on Oct. 3 and runs up until Nov. 2. Tickets start at $24.99 and go up to $29.99 depending on the day of the week you choose to attend, and are available at the door to purchase. They also recommend arriving early to avoid long wait times.
Martino Manor is located at 7 McIntosh Avenue.
Martino Manor
