Brick and mortar magic shops are becoming rare. The shop that I would frequent in my late teens and early twenties closed permanently in 2014. I was really sad to hear of the closing.
Magic tricks, apparatus, tutorials and performances are easily found on the internet. This in turn makes it very easy for an individual to see something that catches his/her eye and research all aspects of the illusion online. Everything from the performance to where to purchase and even the secret. I remember the sign posted behind the counter at the magic shop that read “The Secret is Told When the Trick is Sold”. Wasn’t that part of the lure? You had to pay to be a “member”, and after doing so, you were entitled to perform the effect.
