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Reminder Assistant Editor INDIAN ORCHARD Though the Brick and Mortar Magic shop appeared in a Main Street store front just one month ago, it is no illusion that business is already booming. Owners Michael Paul of Springfield and Mark Thompson of Ware, credit thier early sucess to the awe-inspiring wonder of magic that naturally fascinates every age, culture and creed. "I've waited 30 years to do this," Thompson said about opening the shop. The timing could not be better for Thompson, a magician and history teacher at Pathfinder Regional High School in Palmer and co-owner Paul, a full-time magician and recent addition to New York City's off-broadway sensation "Monday Night Magic." Today, online shopping has caused the near extinction of magic shops at a time when televised magicians such as Chris Angel and David Blane have achieved the celebrity of rock stars, Thompson explained. Theirs being the closest magic shop outside of Boston, it is already evolving into a hub for the growing ranks of local magicians. "Now that magic is cool, we're hoping to become the cool place to hang out," Paul said. "We're doing it more to get people to appreciate magic than to make a killing." Often, that credo means talking amateurs out of big-tag items in lieu of a cheaper illusion, Paul explained. When mastered, even the simplest tricks can lead to a life-long love affair with magic rather than ending one early in the frustration of failure. Already, Brick and Mortar has become a venue for magic lectures, meetings, lessons, supplies and information. Just by stopping in to browse, shoppers can watch impromptu card tricks that, Paul and Thompson say, just replace your thoughts with a sense of wonder and possibilities. "It's fun watching a 70 year-old guy become like a 10 year-old kid again," Thompson said. "Technology has really destroyed that natural sense of wonder that people have." That ability to astound, they said, is what makes magic so satisfying. "Within 10 minutes of a good magic act, you have forgotten every stress and about life as a grind," Paul said. As part of their mission to instill a love of magic into future generations, they have created a classroom inside the store where Paul teaches the art of illusions to ages 13 and up. Their students receive 45 minutes of weekly instruction at the bargain price of $30 per month. "It's an outlet for creativity," Thompson explained about the lessons. "Especially for those kids that don't fit into the the drama club or the sports teams." Paul described the lessons as an all-around course in magic, that will cover appearing and disappearing objects as well as some mind reading tricks. Lessons are also part of their largest custom magic kits for the holidays. The variety of kits are priced at $20, $30 and $100. "We're also a great place to stop in and shop for stocking stuffers," Thompson added. "And there is always an experienced magician working behind the counter to answer your questions," Some additions to the business, such as a catalog, will begin next year, while other plans for the shop's future are still hiding up their sleeves. After all, the beauty of the magic business is that anything is possible. The Brick and Mortar Magic Shop is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. For more information, call 543-3700. | ||||||
