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December 2023 by Annabelle R.
They don't just sell gag gifts here, they have a number of fascinating items that allow you to actually do magic! I got a svengali card deck (one of the best trick decks), dice bomb, wonder bubbles (turning a bubble into a glass ball), and a couple other smaller magic tricks the shop owner threw in for free (ie. cutting a rope in half, then turning it back into one piece). I honestly thought this was basically a kids toy store, but I really enjoyed the experience without kids. It wasn't just shopping, it was a whole magic show too. And not just one where I got to see amazing tricks, but where I was also taught all the secrets! Yup, if you buy it, the owner (Will Roberts) will show you how it's done, and let you video record it too. The entire staff was super friendly and helpful during my time here this past weekend, and I can truly say I got way more than I expected from my visit. By the way, they do special events here as well, making it an even cooler venue, the oldest magic shop in California (and supposedly haunted too!?!)
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November 2023 by Jim Mills
They are passionate, knowledgeable, and friendly, catering to amateurs and beginners. They helped me pick my first few tricks and I wowed my kids. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and see them. They will make sure you leave the shop delighted. If you’re not able to stop in, at least check their shop online. They’ve been fantastic to me even at a distance!
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August 2023 by Evan P.
I stopped in yesterday to pick up a simple trick for a beginner. The employee in the shop was really nice and showed me a couple of fun options. I would recommend stopping in when you're on Cannery Row. Now I just need to practice so I can wow my kids.
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April 2023 by Shawn L.
My family and I had a spectacular time visiting Tricks n' Things for a little while and buying some awesome novelty items and magic tricks for the kids! The atmosphere is classic, interest-grabbing and authentic. The storekeep, Unbelievable Mike greeted us with warmth and friendliness. He immediately invited us to check out a few of his professional level magic tricks- and his quick performance completely blew my kids (and us grownups) away. What was as unbelievable was his customer service. There wasn't a moment where we felt pressured to buy any items, yet what is for sale is so unique and special, we picked up some cool, inexpensive tricks. Mike made it a point to fully demonstrate how to perform the tricks we purchased, and he shared some of his knowledge about the products with genuine enthusiasm for his trade and our customer experience. It's a class act all the way. There just isn't any way a casual visit to a little shop could have been more special and memorable. If you even have a passing interest in magic, tricks, and gags, there is no way you should pass up a visit. Places like this with true passion behind the products are so rare these days and I plan on bringing my family back to visit many times, and purchasing more great tricks each time. Fantastic place!
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March 2023 by Doug M.
This is my kids' favorite store on the peninsula! Highly recommend stopping by...the owner is absolutely awesome with kids!
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February 2023 by Stephen J. Poletti
Unique shop with collections of all sorts of magic paraphernalia. This is the place to shop around Halloween!
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January 2023 by Peter Myers
Came here on 2 occasions with my son. Both times were within open hours and both times they were closed. Very disappointing
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July 2022 by Jeff Kolk
Last day in Monterey and thought I'd stop in and spend some $$. I frequent magic shops all over the country and was looking forward to visiting another that is surviving against online stores. Got here, paid to park and got to their front door. It was closed, with no explanation. Online it still said they were open. Well they aren't. This is the kind of thing that puts these kinda shops down too. If I could give this shop zero stars, I would. At least put out a sign or message online. You could've made some $$$ today.
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June 2022 by Breanna Esche
This is a review for Miguel V the owner, not for the shop (the shop is great). Went to my sister’s college graduation celebration 5/29. Miguel was going to perform from 3:30-4:30pm. My mother was in communication with him for months and confirmed with him morning of via text. We never heard from him and he never showed up. As you can imagine, we were very disappointed and upset. Overall, very unbusiness-like. Celebration festivities were dampened. This affected table seating and affected timing of the celebration. For these reasons we would not recommend Miguel.
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June 2022 by Katie Esche
Love the magic shop, but very disappointed & upset when the new owner Miguel was scheduled for our daughter’s graduation celebration and he flaked with no communication. It not only disappointed our daughter & guest, but messed up our timing of events & arrangement of our tables allowing room for Miguel to perform.Unprofessional and disappointing when we had a scheduled one hour magic show and he simply didn’t show up or have the decency to let us know.Don’t book him for a magic show, he is not reliable!
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May 2022 by Danielle Rameson
This place is awesome and the owner was very kind. Highly recommend this little hole in the wall.
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April 2022 by Marty Denna
Miguel is fantastic! Does an excellent job demonstrating and explaining how the illusions work and has great suggestions for younger kids learning new tricks.
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February 2022 by Katie S.
So much fun! Kids got to learn how to do magic and we got to watch a little magic show
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December 2021 by Wing Y.
This is a delightful shop, densely packed with magic tricks and toys, that we visit every time we come to Monterey (twice in the last four months after staying home for most of 2020). Our kids enjoy browsing the shop but the best part is seeing Miguel perform tricks for anyone who is in the store. If you buy a trick he will patiently teach you how to perform it at the small curtained window so that no one else can see. Over the years the kids have accumulated a good number of tricks, enough to put on some magic shows at home. Miguel also does local performances so we will look out for those on future trips.
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December 2021 by Kryss Crocker
Love this shop and the way the owner or employee will show you how to do the trick that you bought.
