We went on an Inside Magic journey and recently returned.  We traveled through the heartland of this great country and stopped where we could to see places of magic interest.

One of the places we stopped was Big Guy’s Magic Shop in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.  We had a wonderful time meeting the Big Guy and his wife Mary.  Their shop is incredible and very much brick and mortar of the classic magic shop design.  There are tricks everywhere – in and out of beautiful and refurbished counters with streamers and signs festooning the place.  There are chairs to sit and chat and wonderful chats to be had with the Big Guy and Mary.

Local magicians were visiting throughout our time in the shop.  We even saw a celebrity magician just as we were entering and will keep his identity from the peering eyes of our tens of readers to protect his privacy.  Also to protect our embarrassment because we didn’t recognize him in his everyday dress clothes; complete with a hat – although not a magic hat, so there’s that.

Name a trick and the Big Guy has it.  He showed us his backroom and it is filled (as in, there’s no more room for anything) with magic.  His eCommerce site boasts – in a modest way – over 17,000 tricks.  And that’s not like saying he has 16,000 thumb tips and the rest in sponge rabbits.  These are classic effects and the latest.  He even has a texting service to let customers pre-order effects before they hit the streets – the tricks not the customers.

We bemoan often the lack of real magic stores and wonder if there is a place for the classic magic store amidst the eCommerce world with its fancy tools.  The Big Guy proves it can be done.  He has a place to learn, trade stories, work on tricks and just relax in a magician-friendly environment.  He holds lectures from some of the big names in our craft and is the hub for magicians available for shows. Check out his About Us page for images of some of the big stars that have visited.

We walked out with new effects and some classics we needed to replace in our collection and we were happy.  We didn’t stop smiling until, well, we’re still smiling.

The chances that you will visit Pewaukee, Wisconsin may not be as great as the chances you will turn on your computer, but either way, we hope you visit the Big Guy and his wonderful magic offerings.

We should point out that we received not a dime for this unabashed hagiography of the Big Guy, his wonderful wife, Mary, and his spectacular online and in-life store.  It is our pleasure.  It was such a wonderful experience, we want to spread the word.

Check out his brick and mortar establishment here.

Visit his on-line cornucopia here.

Sign-up for his newsletter and text service while you’re there.  You won’t be spammed but you will be treated to advance notice of great tricks that are sure to sell out.

Inside Magic Rating – Five out Five – Our Highest!