Magic Shops

[Fitzaces]

There's a magic shop near my house. This is the place where I learned my first trick and saw the first magic show that wasn't for kids. It is one of the coolest places I've ever been to.

I was wondering though, how legitimate are magic shops? Theory11 is a great site and offers amazing stuff but i think the magic shop offers more variety and more in depth explanations.

What do you guys think?

 

[industrialchild]

I think that you are truly blessed to have an actual brick and mortar shop to visit. They are becoming more rare as the years progress because of magic being so readily available on the internet.
I've originally from New Orleans and the only magic shop that we had over there was Magic Masters, but when Katrina hit, shortly after that place disappeared. I move two weeks ago to East Lyme, CT and I have a magic shop just twenty minutes away from where I live now. I will be paying them a visit as soon as I get a job secured over here.
Brick and mortar magic shops are a good way to meet other magicians in your area and network with people. I'm sure if you're interested in a trick there, that the guy working behind the counter could demo it for you before you by it just so you know what you are getting.
What is this magic shop's name and where is it located?

 

[Mike.Hankins]

I was very fortunate to live just a few miles away from Denny & Lee's Magic Studio in Baltimore Md...well now it is in Rosedale MD.
industrialchild is more than right. Living near an actual magic shop is priceless! Check to see if they have a magic club, where you can perform, share ideas etc.
Also, if it is a real magic shop and not so much a joke shop, then you have access to a TON of information by way of books. The more legit the shop, the better a magician you will become. Recommendations will come based on skill level, not by just trying to make a sale.
Theory11 is the NEW wave of learning magic. Now, you dont have to leave your home to learn the latest and greatest that the magic world has to offer...
Remember though, every tree has a root. In this case, the root is the brick and mortar shop.

 

[MillionaireMike]

Dude that is one of my goals... to go to a real magic shop as over here in New Zealand there is only one and that is far away from me I either have to take a plane or ferry to get there (if any of you have seen a map of NZ you will notice it has two islands and I live on the north one and the shop is on the south one). If i was close to one I would support it and buy most of my magic from there.

 

[LLin]

Brick and mortar shops are HIGHLY recommended if you are serious about magic. The real secrets are from those magic shops. In fact, you might be even able to learn really good tricks and tips from the owners for free.

However, be wary about phoney ones. Like here in Singapore, there is only one or two legitimate magic shops that I know of. The rest I know of either sell pirated stuff or are blogshops.

 

[RikAllen]

I recently moved to within 10 miles of a magic shop recently. It's a good place, the owner is a nice guy who use to work restaurants and private parties.

He has some good advice every time I'm in there, and usually recommends the right material. I'll probably visit there tomorrow if they're open (my place of business is not! yay day off) and pick up some stuff.

Most magic shops are worth going to, at least in countries where pirated material is illegal to sell.

 

[RickEverhart]

I consider myself lucky because I have two brick and mortar magic shops within 10 minutes of my house. Both of the owners are members of our IBM ring. I send them business and I get a price break on the stuff I buy.

It is definitely the way to buy things if you need to have things demo'ed for you and you have specific questions before buying.

Occasionally if I am going to make an expensive purchase, the owner will show me the gimmick prior so I know what am getting into so I don't drop 80 bucks, take it home and never return to his shop. Now, I know that he does not have to do this and technically it is exposing but to keep a good working relationship with the guy he chooses to do this for me and a few other regulars who come in and out weekly and send him business. I am very thankful for that.