Minneapolis Magic: History at Eagle Magic Store!
There are places where you buy things.
And then there are places where history happens.
For generations of magicians, collectors, hobbyists and curious people, one of those places has been Eagle Magic Store.
Founded in the Minneapolis area in 1899, Eagle Magic has become one of the great landmarks of American magic. Today, owner Larry Kahlow continues the tradition at the store’s current location in Burnsville, Minnesota. Eagle Magic describes itself as the oldest continuously operating magic shop in the United States. (Eagle Magic Store)
And yes… we are still gathering at Eagle Magic Store.
Saturday Mornings at Eagle Magic
One of the things I love about Eagle Magic is that it isn’t simply a place to purchase a deck of cards, a magic trick or some mysterious apparatus.
It’s a gathering place.
On Saturday mornings, magic enthusiasts still make their way to Eagle Magic to talk, share ideas, demonstrate tricks, tell stories and simply enjoy being around other people who appreciate the Magical Arts.
For me, that tradition goes way back.
I’m Brad “MagicBrad” Gudim, and I have been visiting Eagle Magic Store since I was a young teenager.
That’s a lot of Saturday mornings!
Over the years, Eagle Magic has been more than a magic shop to me. It has been a place to learn, connect, discover, laugh and keep the sense of wonder alive.
And I’m certainly not the only person who has been influenced by this remarkable place.
A Store With Some Serious Magical History
Imagine walking into a magic shop knowing that some of the legendary names in magic have walked through those doors.
According to the history preserved by Eagle Magic and accounts of the store’s history, Harry Houdini was among the famous visitors associated with Eagle Magic. The Star Tribune has also reported that a desk dating back to the 1880s was said to be one where Houdini once sat. (Star Tribune)
Other famous visitors have included Steve Martin, who purchased arrow-through-the-head illusions from Larry Kahlow, and Muhammad Ali, who reportedly spent about six hours at the shop during a visit in the early 1980s. (Eagle Magic Store)
The store’s history also includes connections to legendary magician Howard Thurston. Society of American Magicians Assembly 12 has documented presentations about the history of Eagle Magic and its connections to Houdini and Thurston. (SAM Assembly 12)
This isn’t just nostalgia.
It’s part of Minnesota’s cultural history.
From Magic Shop to Magical Destination
Something interesting is happening in Minnesota.
Magic isn’t confined to the traditional stage anymore.
The Twin Cities are becoming an increasingly interesting place for live entertainment, performing arts, food, nightlife and unusual experiences. Minneapolis already has a well-established reputation for music, theater, comedy, restaurants, bars, breweries and nightlife. (Explore Minneapolis)
Now imagine adding another layer:
MAGIC.
Imagine visiting Minneapolis and discovering magical experiences throughout the region.
A magician performing at a restaurant.
A mentalist appearing in a cocktail lounge.
Close-up magic at a coffee shop.
A magical theater experience.
A magic-themed restaurant, bar or nightclub.
Street performers creating spontaneous moments of wonder.
Magic lectures, conventions, workshops and collector gatherings.
Magic shops and museums.
And, of course, a visit to the historic Eagle Magic Store.
That begins to look less like an occasional magic show and more like a MAGICAL DESTINATION.
Minneapolis… and Then Fridley
I believe there is an opportunity to think even bigger.
Minneapolis can be part of a larger Minnesota magical ecosystem stretching throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.
And I’m particularly interested in Fridley, Minnesota.
Why?
Because magical destinations don’t have to be created by one giant attraction.
They can emerge from hundreds — or thousands — of individual experiences.
That’s where my idea of 10,000 Magic Experiences comes from.
10,000 Magic Experiences
I am inviting fans of the Magical Arts — magicians, performers, artists, collectors, historians, venue owners, restaurant owners, bartenders, coffee shops, event producers, entertainers and simply people who LOVE MAGIC — to join me.
Let’s imagine Minnesota becoming known for something wonderfully unexpected:
10,000 Magic Experiences.
Not necessarily 10,000 magic shows.
10,000 moments of MAGIC.
A card trick shared at a coffee shop.
A magician performing at a birthday party.
A mysterious object displayed in a shop window.
A magic-themed cocktail.
A mentalism performance at a restaurant.
A magical photo opportunity.
A street performer astonishing a passerby.
A magic lecture.
A convention.
A theater production.
A magic gathering at Eagle Magic.
A conversation between two people who simply love the impossible.
Each experience becomes another little spark.
And eventually, those sparks can create something much bigger.
The Eagle Is Still Flying
For more than a century, Eagle Magic has helped keep that spark alive.
The store has moved from its historic Minneapolis locations to its current home in Burnsville, but the tradition continues. (Star Tribune)
And people are still gathering.
Still talking.
Still demonstrating.
Still learning.
Still fooling one another.
Still asking:
“How did you DO that?”
That’s what makes a place like Eagle Magic special.
It’s not just about the tricks.
It’s about the people and the stories surrounding the tricks.
And it’s about passing the wonder from one generation to the next.
Come Join Us
So, if you’re a fan of the Magical Arts, I invite you to come be part of the story.
Come visit Eagle Magic.
Come on a Saturday morning.
Meet some of the people who are helping keep the art of magic alive.
Bring a trick.
Bring a story.
Bring your curiosity.
Or just bring yourself.
And then let’s see what happens when thousands of people start creating little moments of magic throughout Minnesota.
Minneapolis has a magical history.
Minnesota has a magical future.
And perhaps the next chapter is something we can create together.
10,000 Magic Experiences.
One magical moment at a time.
— Brad “MagicBrad” Gudim
MagicBrad.com
OurMagicUniverse.com
