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epsilon97 Regular user 178 Posts |
Hello all,
I am curious about how many brick and mortar magic shop owners we have here at the Magic Café. Also, is there a forum specifically for owning a magic shop? I do not own one, but I am very curious about the business. |
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magicHart Special user Las Vegas, Nevada 548 Posts |
Unfortunately, the brick and mortar shops are a dying breed. It's sad but true!
Like any other business they have been forced to close due to the proliferation of on line vendors. |
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Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
MDA, Magic Dealers Association has been around since the early forties. Interestingly, they were founded by a bunch of guys to fight the rampant thievery among unethical dealers and the copycats, all stuff that seems to have shifted to China these days. Don't know if they have a forum.
There is an interesting poll in the 1949-50s Genii magazine, conducted by Robert Orben, that ran for almost a year and consisted of input by dealers and working pros. If you are a Genii subscriber, or a member of the Conjuring Arts Research, you can access the back issues and read this interesting poll about brick and mortar stores and how tough the business really is.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
This brick and mortar magic shop has been around since 1976 with the same owners who you will usually see almost every day. They have quite a history and they can tell you some interesting stories. They know the business inside and out.
http://www.thecuckoosnest.com/zencart/zencart138/ Check out the important links on the right side of the page.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Shannon zhuo New user China 21 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-06-05 07:56, epsilon97 wrote: Nowadays, more and more companys choose to open online magic shops, I didn't find some forums for owning a magic shop,Magic magazine could be a choice for your reference.
Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well
http://www.redcornermagic.com |
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I'd also recommend you to Williams Magic in Tucson, AZ ( http://www.WilliamsMagic.com ).
It's a father and son enterprise; both are great entertainers as well as businessmen. And they've managed to weather the various economic storms of the last 20+ years. Give them a call and ask for Emory. Ed |
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The Amazing Pog Veteran user 372 Posts |
I wonder what the magic shop scene is like in the uk? I doubt if there's many shops around, and those that do exist will probably all be in large cities. I could be wrong, though. Anyone know what the uk situations like?
'One of the safest ways to make a good performance is to have tricks which work so easily, that mechanics can be forgotten and every attention devoted to presentation' - Corinda
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DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Interesting question. Was just talking with a B&M owner who’s planning on closing up shop at the end of next month. I don’t know where he got the info, but he says there are just about 250 shops left in the U.S. Two just recently (within the past year) closed in Chattanooga.
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
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Greg Collett New user 63 Posts |
Mr. MAGIC in little rock arkansas is also a long time favorite. an excellent shop run by a great guy, Jim Henson.
"He's a miracle waiting for us to happen."
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JJKnight New user 52 Posts |
I love Jim at Mr. Magic I just wish I could see him more often (sounds so bad I know!). His shop is PACKED!!! I just wish he could get one of us young guys to work on his website I think an online catalogue would compliment his shop perfectly.
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DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
I don’t think it will be too far off topic to ask a question (If so I’m quite sure it’ll be deleted or moved!)
I think we can all acknowledge that price isn’t everything (although it IS very compelling!) How much time would you spend in a Brick & Mortar shop, under the following circumstances:
These are all just ideas. You can use my list or add thoughts of your own. What would it take for you to visit a shop INSTEAD of buying online, assuming it was local (half hour drive or less), and paying possibly higher prices?
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
I second Ed's advice to check out Williams. I live in Tucson and love going to visit with Emory.
DW- You had me at coffee and doughnuts.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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The Amazing Pog Veteran user 372 Posts |
I be at that shop quite a bit. I'd go to shows, and pay for them, and buy drinks and food, and I'd purchase items quite often. I reckon you'd see me most weekends and some weekdays or evenings depending upon how far away it was from where I work.
'One of the safest ways to make a good performance is to have tricks which work so easily, that mechanics can be forgotten and every attention devoted to presentation' - Corinda
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NexusMagicShop Elite user Sunny California 434 Posts |
As an online distributor, knowing that Brick and mortars are fading away. I wanted to show some level of support. So I put together a list of Brick and Mortars in the US on my magic forums site. It took along time to put together, but I was introduced into magic thru a brick and mortar. I felt it was the least I can do to support. ---> http://www.backroommagic.com/apps/forums......ocations
If anyone knows of Stores that need to be included or removed please let me know: NexusMagicStore@yahoo.com I know many have fallen...
Jason of BackroomMagic
www.BackroomMagic.com/| Mobile friendly magic forums and blogs www.twitter.com/Nexusmagicstore |
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Wunderground New user Clawson, MI 13 Posts |
What is it about the magic business that makes people have such a negative view? We don't need more than one lowest price online magic shop, and it's not going to be Penguin or Magic Geek or any of the current specialty magic stores. In just a few years the only noteworthy online magic shop will be Amazon as magic becomes just another online commodity. If all the customer cares about is the cost, Amazon will win on price and free shipping. If all an online store can offer is the Murphy's catalog, there doesn't need to be more than one shop.
Once the online shops shake themselves out, people will realize that cheap magic is just that - cheap and unworkable in the real world. At some point you need to realize that your YouTube video just isn't going to cut it. There's always going to be a need for real world advice. The brick and mortars will survive with unique products, custom creations, training and coaching, and specialty service. (And maybe free doughnuts.) Actually, right now one of the ways I survive is by buying out failed online shops, but I don't expect that can last. Wunderground Magic has been around for over 40 years, and the only way we can do that is to adapt. I'd like to believe that there will always be a demand for unique experiences, live entertainment and human interaction, so we focus on those instead of trying to be the cheapest we can be.
Share the Wunder not the secret - Wunderground Magic
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satellite23 Elite user 424 Posts |
He is not a member on the Café, but Artie Kidwell owns a shop around where I live. I've seen his name pop up a few times on the forum, though. He's a really good guy and magician, tons of experience and interesting stories. One of his workers actually went to the same high school as I do now, and so we have a few things to talk about there. He used to be a member, but I don't think he's very active anymore (username: Sir Pat-Trick-----the trick is in the name).
Mr. Kidwell's shop has recently begun to take the plunge into the worldwide web, I'm not sure how it is because I've never bought anything from the online store. artiesmagic.com |
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DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Seriously looking into this myself. I don’t think a shop could survive if it didn’t use the web extensively. But the brick & mortar has much to offer that the web (even Skype) just can’t manage, and I’ve seen plenty of ideas (some that draw better than others! ).
Unfortunately, the Internet isn’t the only thing hurting small business (or capitalism in general) right now. The more I studied, the scarier it got; all plans are on hold until after the elections. We may see after that.
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
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John McLaughlin Veteran user Gloucester, Massachusetts 393 Posts |
Ed Gardner runs Diamond's Magic...which he purchased from Paul Diamond many years ago. It's in Peabody Mass, and has almost as many books and DVDs as Denny has. Ed is a great guy and like most honest dealers will tell you what not to get if he thinks it's above your skill level or not great quality. My favorite part is just like Denny's Shop, once he gets to know you you get to wander around behind the counter on your own. Be prepared for lost of one-liners, Eddie could give Gary Darwin a run for his money!
...NSA John McLaughlin, not CIA John McLaughlin
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
If you are in the Kansas City area(USA), give me a PM. I can guide you to our 4 shops..
Klamms, U.S. Toys Magic, and Mind Games.. hmm that's 4. I can't remember if Kirk D's shop is still open. He is the computer wiz behind the I.B.M. web stuff as well as purveyor of great props. Harris ring 129 and 2100
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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m.ruetz Veteran user Peoria Arizona, USA 378 Posts |
I love these discussions on brick and mortar shops.
Be sure to check out the best World-wide resource on locating brick and mortar shops. Please if you find your favorite shop is not there, or if a listed shop is no longer there, let me know. http://magicgizmo.com/home/magic-shop-locator/
MagicGizmo: Magic Articles, Classifieds, Videos, and more
http://magicgizmo.com |
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