Finding Minnesota: The Oldest Magic Store

by Ben Tracy 
Minneapolis (WCCO) 

In the heart of the city, hidden down a brick-lined passage, is a doorway to another world. It's a place both spooky and spellbinding; a place bewitched by the unique curiosities of its owner.

Larry Kahlow was 8 years old the first time he walked into the Eagle Magic and Joke Store.

"Currently, I'm interested in crooked gambling," said Kahlow, now owner of the store. "I'm interested in handcuffs."

"I had a paper route and that's where my money went, to buy a trick at Eagle Magic Store," Kahlow said. "I've kind of grown up behind the counters here."

The shop opened in 1900 and is now the oldest magic store in the country. It is also a museum of medium.

"Houdini has been in the store," Kahlow said.

Eagle has moved seven times, changed hands four times, and yet loyalty has never been an illusion.

"Eagle Magic Store has been passed on to the employees so I worked for the guy before me and he worked for the guy before him," Kahlow said.

Kahlow is not only a performer, but also a teacher. For the past 45 years some of the best magicians in town have learned their tricks from the man behind this counter.

Of course, this store also has a funny side with a plethora of whoopee cushions, joy buzzers and snake cans.

"You've got the fake vomit," Kahlow said. "Very popular."

From the tactless to the timeless, it's still the magic that keeps customers reappearing.

"Teachers and preachers and heads of industry; everybody likes a good magician," Kahlow said. "They enjoy being mystified and when an audience member says, 'How'd you do that?' they don't really mean, 'How'd you do that?' They mean, 'Show me some more magic.'"

"The magic happens in a person's mind," Kahlow said. "The magic happens in a person's head."

Kahlow told us that many years ago a young man, headed to a job interview, stopped in the store to chat, maybe to settle his nerves.

That man came back a couple hours later to tell Kahlow he got the job.

That was Don Shelby back in 1978.

Article From http:// wcco .com/topstories/Larry.Kahlow.Eagle.2.353145.html