And Another One Bites The Dust....Da Da Da

[RickEverhart]

Alright fellas, today I am saddened that yet another Brick and Mortar Magic shop within my city limits has closed its doors.

It is the 2nd one in 2 years. I understand that running a magic shop in a location where you have to pay overhead costs, utilities, and such can be very difficult. Even selling some great props to your local amateurs and few working pros does not seem to generate enough revenue to keep the shops up and running.

I am great friends with the owner. We are in the same IBM ring. He said it is increasing difficult to get the costs down to compete with with the big boys on the Internet. I hope this is not a sign of things to come across the U.S.

He also says that it just takes too much time to run the shop as well. I've seen him sit there for 4 hours and maybe only have 1 customer who may come in for some sponge bunnies.

It makes me sad because the brick and mortar shops are where the secrets are told and you can see a young child hang out with some of the pros as their eyes pop out of their heads during an effect. It is not the same to view a magic trick via the Internet compared to being right there in the shop and feeling the emotions and climax of the effect.

I'd like to hear some of your comments / memories / etc. about some of your brick and mortar shops that may be near you.

Perhaps many of you are seeing this happen in your areas as well.

 

[CaseyRudd]

Rick, the exact same thing has happened to me, and I was sad to see it happen.

The only Brick and Mortar shop in my area closed down and was forced to move away. I luckily saw his last show and will never forget it. This was in my early stages, and I wish he was still around so I could pay a weekly visit and hang around. He had quite a few people come into his shop and hang around, but I guess the business was dying and he just had to go. His story about his shop is that it contains a ghost named Toby. One day, the sign that says all their deals and prices suddenly fell to the ground, and he yelled "Toby! Was that you!?" and I couldnt stop laughing. Those were great times!

 

[RickEverhart]

I think that was part of the problem...it became this amazing place to hang out and create memories and friendships but in the end, it takes sales to keep the shop alive and at that point it just becomes a simple math equation of revenue and expenditures.

Thanks for the story Casey.

 

[Luis Vega]

I have never understood why there is now magic shops here in my town...and that there is only one in the capital...now I do understand...

I know that is hard for an owner of a small bussiness to close it...that really sucks...on topic I read a post by Andrew Maybe about this topic and what these shops can do to prevent it...

 

[formula]

Shops are a great place to hang out but the internet is the future for all retailers. Even massive (national/international/global) business' are slowly reducing the amount and size of their stores.

 

[mehar]

As long as there is a brokerage fee, Canadian magic shops'll be all around the provinces.

 

[UncleMings]

That sucks. My 2 shops are still open (Tannens and Fantasma) but everyday I fear of one or both closing. Talking with both spots they said its hard trying to compete with the super low prices on the net. They have their loyals who would still buy from them no matter what but everyday they lose a customer to the net.

They have to worry about city rent prices too. The veterans told me stories about how great Tannens was. Now its reduced to a very small show room on the 6th floor of a midtown building.

Fantasma is a paying an arm and a leg for their seventh ave locaton. Thats prime real estate. Only time will tell about the future of brick and motar stores.

 

[vipermagic]

Nothing on the internet beats actually going down to your local store and just talking shop with the guy behind the counter. It's one thing to see good magic on the net but a good pass right in front of you is wild.

I hope to one day start up a magic shop near where I live.

 

[RickEverhart]

You guys all make valid points. Nothing beats being there in person and developing a good relationship with the owner and coworkers.
Once they know you are a serious customer...for the most part they will even steer you clear of "bad" purchases you may make or advise you to stay away from a certain prop because they do not think it is worth it themselves or doesn't fit your persona.

I even got to the point where I could pull items off the shelf, look at them, check them gimmicks and make sure I was happy with what I was about to spend money on. Now of course I am not talking about the little $5 items, more like props that are over $50 or so.

 

[SimplyMagic14]

What I noticed at Fab Magic is the over stocking of "gag" items. Fake ice cube with fly in it, fire gum,wooppi cushion...etc. Those things are funny but why would you need to stock so much of it and not the stuff we are looking for. The guy at Fab said he could order any thing I wanted...news flash...I can do that too "from home". I wanted the feel of being at the magic shop. He did show my oldest a few things but nothing that I was in to. I think if the magic shops would try to stock more of what's "in" now they may be able to hold there ground. But they must keep some of the classic stuff too. Just my thoughts.