Market Magic Shop
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
Key people | Sheila Lyon, Darryl Beckmann (owners) |
| Products | Magic goods and accessories, antique posters, juggling pins, novelty prank items, magic tricks |
| Website | www |
The Market Magic Shop—also referred to as the Market Magic & Novelty Shop or the Pike Place Magic Shop—is a magic store situated within Seattle's renowned Pike Place Market in Washington, United States.
Description
Positioned on the fourth floor of the Down Under section at Pike Place Market in Central Waterfront, Seattle, this magic store provides an extensive assortment of magical goods and accessories tailored for magicians. In 2018, John Prentice from Seattle Refined highlighted the shop's diverse inventory, featuring affordable items starting below $10 that accommodate all experience levels—from novice kits to intricate illusions favored by seasoned professionals. The store’s collection also includes antique posters dating back over a century, juggling pins, novelty prank items, and various magic tricks.
Owned and managed by the couple Sheila Lyon and Darryl Beckmann, the Market Magic Shop is acknowledged as one of the longest-standing magic retailers in the United States and is considered a vital fixture of Pike Place Market. With a team of skilled magicians on staff, the shop also boasts an automated fortune-telling machine, contributing to its distinctive presence and enhancing customer engagement within the market.
History
Founded in 1974, the Market Magic Shop has maintained its presence for decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it benefited from financial assistance and leveraged social media platforms to draw patrons despite difficult market circumstances.
Reception
In 2016, Brian Kelly of the Bainbridge Island Review referred to Market Magic Shop as a "legendary magic shop at Pike Place Market," emphasizing its status as a must-visit location for Seattle tourists for more than four decades. Sarah Anne Lloyd from Curbed Seattle recognized it as an essential element of the Pike Place Market experience, offering traditional Houdini-style magic merchandise such as illusion equipment, sleight-of-hand tools, and prank items.
The Lonely Planet guidebook identified the store as a favored destination for both aspiring magicians and visitors, retailing novelty products like fake dog excrement, stink bombs, water-squirting rings, and various magic tricks—appealing to a wide audience including children and adults interested in nostalgic amusement.