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The oldest joke shop in the U.S. is right here in Minnesota — and it's still going strong The Burnsville store has hundreds of items perfect for April Fools’ Day By Katie Lauer Carter Jones Larry Kahlow poses for a portrait in Eagle Magic and Joke Store on Friday, March 24, 2017. The shop opened in 1899 and is the longest continually running magic shop in the country. Situated in Burnsville, the “oldest magic shop in America” has all the supplies necessary to craft the perfect April Fools’ Day. The rows of shelves and showcases in Eagle Magic and Joke...

There are one or two leading principles to be borne in mind by any one taking up the study of magic. The first and foremost is, Never tell the audience what you are going to do before you do it. If you do, the chances of detection are increased tenfold, as the spectators, knowing what to expect, will the more readily arrive at the true method of bringing about the result.

Finding the shop, tucked away in a commercial building on County Road 11, is a trick in itself. Eagle Magic moved from its downtown Minneapolis location seven years ago and is now marked only by a tiny sign. It maintains the same setup inside as its old downtown store — showcases crammed with pranks and jokes on one side, magic on the other, and plenty of room for the seller to demonstrate.