Monk Watson's Professor Cheer's Rope Vest - FAB Exclusive !

By special arrangements with Bill Watson and the Watson family, we are very pleased to announce a very special NEW product.

If you have ever performed the Professor Cheer's Rope routine you know how difficult it can be to keep the rope 'organized'. For over 40 years this effect was a staple in Monk's act and Bill's as well. This special vest was devised by Monk's daughter, Marnie for use in Monk's stage act.

These all will be hand sewn here in our studio and available in different styles,types and sizes. It will be ready for Magic Week ! So stay tuned!

Happy Father's Day!!

Today is Father's Day and I pay tribute to Rick, a man who is the rock of the family.

To describe Rick one must conger many adjectives. He has a personality that is charming and debonair with a little kookiness thrown in. A heart of gold that would much rather give than receive, he has overseen and guided the family through many rough times and always celebrated the good times. Rick is the most positive person I know. He is always encouraging and supporting me and the kids to reach for our dreams. He sees the silver lining and can turn a bad situation into a positive one.

A magician/ventriloquist by trade and owning the family Magic Shop, Rick knows no stranger.  He has the ability to put people at ease and draw them into the world of magic - his world of magic - where there is no stage, flashing lights and loud music, but rather wooden floors, and vaudeville acts; he recreates an era when the magician had only himself to make the "magic" seem real.  Over the years I have sat in the audience, stood backstage, or simply stood across the room of the shop and witnessed Rick create smiles and produce laughter from people of all ages. There have been many many times I have clapped to the point my hands hurt, or laughed at the same routine till my eyes water.

Rick is a wonderful father and grandfather.  He has seen the kids through illnesses, bad dreams, doctor and teacher appointments, broken hearts, numerous bumps and bruises, and sibling spats - just to name a few. He has and will always strive to instill  the kids to do "the right thing" - to have proper morals. In that the kids are grown and out on their own - I can see Rick's life teachings in each of them. As a grandfather, a child can't ask for anything better! Rick is a fun grandpa that plays, jokes, loves (and spoils) with his whole heart. There is no greater joy to me than to hear Rick and the kids or Lilly laughing together. 'Tis those simple things in life that bring the most happiness and produce the best memories. For these things and so much more, I love and wish Rick a Happy Father's Day.  ~Lovey

A piece of magical history now makes it's way to our showroom...forever

Ever since my good friend Jerry Conklin passed away we have been making arrangements to bring his 'Castle Scenery' into the FAB Magic Showroom. But, we didn't have room. Thanks to Mike & Cindy Conklin we now have secured it and is now a part of our showroom. It is special because The Amazing Conklins toured with this for several years in the 1970's.

And...to make it even more special - it was handpainted by Neil & Jeanne Foster! Okay, so you now have another reason to come to FAB in August or anytime for that matter. Come see magical history and the new items FAB is releasing. Our shop is growing by leaps and bounds and business couldn't be better! We are now making additional plans to ramp up our product line (over two dozen new items on the way!)

Come see us soon!

Looking Back...........

At age 14  - 1972 -I watched Neil Foster demonstrate the "Find The Lady Cards" over at Abbott's. It was a Saturday in December and I was trying to figure out what to buy for Christmas. Unfortunately this was out of my reach $$ wise and Neil ended up talking my dad and I into buying a table - a table! Are you kidding me? I wanted a trick. But it was the best investment I ever made. Now that I look back it was the best decision I ever made. Now some 40 years later I take that same advice I received as a 'customer' and pass it on to my 'customers'. Neil was my inspiration growing up in the magic world. There never was or never, ever will be another 'Flawless Foster'. You can find bits of his performances on youtube.com

It's worth the time - believe me - we can learn a lot from those that came before us. Routining seems to be a thing of the past these days. It is refreshing however to see a young man or young lady come into the shop wanting to put a show together and not just offer a 'bunch of tricks'. Our doors and ears are always open and we are always here to help. We know not everyone can visit the magic capital of the world but give us a phone call - let US help YOU! Let's talk MAGIC!

Summertime . . . What Happened To Our Youth?

Yes, we are all getting older. In the middle of my 'spring cleaning' here at the shop and found this pic snapped on our old Kodak by my dad. Here is my sister Susan and my mom sitting in my friends trailer on Blackstone Island in the summer of 1965. It was my very first visit to Colon some 46 summers ago.....and was a hot, humid week.The mosquitoes were big enough to pick you up (still are!)

To my wife and kids who put up with me some 30 years later dragging them up to Colon every year

 (at least twice)  I can't believe you put up with me - I remember changing my daughter Ashley's diaper on a fish cleaning table in one instance - all of us packed into the back of a Ford Escort - 4 kids and two adults!

What a person will do to find Shangri Lai . . . . .