Philadelphia ?

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Seuss
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Philadelphia ?

Postby Seuss » November 25th, 2009, 5:19 pm

Are there any local meeting spots in Philadelphia proper or very close by? There is now only one magic shop in town that I know of and the vibe there is not conducive to any meeting / sessioning that I can see.

Any suggestions?
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J-Mac
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby J-Mac » November 28th, 2009, 3:11 am

Alas, I don't believe that we have any such place in Philadelphia anymore. I've been looking for a while.

I remember hanging out at two shops when I worked in Center City back in the late 1970s:

  • Chanin's Studio of Magic
    1212 Walnut Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19107
  • The Magic Center
    144 N. 13 Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19107


There was a third shop that I also frequented, but less often, though I can't remember the name.

Jack Chanin's shop closed after his death in 1981. I don't know whatever happened to The Magic Center on 13th. I was working on the road - both in and out of the US for about 15 years starting in 1980 and when I returned to the area all the magic shops were gone unfortunately. :(

Jim

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Richard Kaufman » November 28th, 2009, 11:21 am

Irv Furman's shop probably closed when he died.

I didn't realize that there were any magic shops left in Philly.
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Seuss
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Seuss » December 5th, 2009, 10:43 pm

there is a new shop in the northern liberties section of town but it is not the type of shop i'd prefer to frequent
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Nathan Muir
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Nathan Muir » December 6th, 2009, 3:55 am

Why? Porn? Cussing? Frank exchanges of views?

Jim Riser
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Jim Riser » December 6th, 2009, 8:25 pm

Why is a good question. Northern Liberties has some very cool places, clubs, etc. Too many musicians? Too many artist types? One of my favorite eats places in Phila is right near there on Spring Mountain.

Several years ago there used to be a small shop out on East Frankford Ave. The last time I checked they still had a few items in the window but bars were down and no signs of life.

What is the name of the Northern Liberties shop - and address?
Jim

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Seuss
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Seuss » December 6th, 2009, 8:48 pm

http://trickzonephilly.com/ just opened this summer

Nathan, nothing quite that extreme (I quite enjoy frank exchanges) just more of a novelty shop than a magic shop.

Jim, that shop on frankford closed some years ago but I do recall items still on display for almost a year after the shop closed. There was also one (hocus pocus) near south street that closed maybe 2.5 years ago as well. Did you mean spring garden street? What restaurant?
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Jim Riser
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Jim Riser » December 6th, 2009, 9:00 pm

Yes, Spring Garden (Spring Mountain is in a different city). I love the Spaghetti Factory/Warehouse for the Wednesday lunch special!
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Seuss
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Seuss » December 6th, 2009, 9:11 pm

LOL my wife is constantly trying to get me to eat there but I was never much of a chain restaurant fan... maybe I will have to relent.
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Jim Riser
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Jim Riser » December 6th, 2009, 9:51 pm

I'll check out that shop when I am in Phila next summer.

Be sure to go for the Wednesday lunch. It's like $5 and you can add extra toppings etc. for a buck or so each (includes salad, bread, and drink too). We are talking cheap but tasty eats here.

BTW - Spring Mountain Rd. is in Vegas. I probably drive on it 10 times more each year than Spring Garden in Phila - so just typed that by mistake.
Jim

Ernesto Pacifico
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Ernesto Pacifico » January 20th, 2010, 11:23 pm

There was a shop over by South St. that closes a few years ago apparently. Haven't seen that place in NoLib I am in philly all the time man. Always sippping coffee at muggshots. What is the performance seen down there like? I saw a homeless dude rock some great magic outside whole foods last year.

Mike Remington
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Re: Philadelphia ?

Postby Mike Remington » January 10th, 2011, 11:50 pm

Is there any update on this? I get to spend a week in the Philly area in February - not looking forward to the weather there. I noticed a listing for a shop in Lansdale. Does anyone know about that? It appears to be owned by a guy who used to have a pretty good magic cart in Montgomery Mall in the nineties.


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