In Mike Danata, I have found another true believer. To say that he is a magic obsessive is an understatement! Since we were holidaying on the South Coast this yeara – and Bournemouth was almost closer than you can throw a Bicycle Card, I decided to pop in and have another visit…

Mike always says that his shop is the kind of place he dreamed about when he was a boy – where all things magical were available to see and touch. He has certainly done a great job of realising that. Indeed he seems to make it a personal mission to compare every version of an effect (where there are several) so that he knows which is the best. We were looking at one little close up effect of which he had 3 versions and his advice was very helpful.

Advice there is in abundance. Mike is always up for a natter (in fact, like my daughter, it is making him stop which is the challenge!) and has years of experience to bring to bear. Lots of the online shops are trying to emulate this with live chat etc. but it is just not the same. There is also a refreshing absence of ‘hard sell’. If he thinks a trick is rubbish he will tell you so.

Back to the shop. This is like a magical retail version of a sliding block puzzle. There is far too much stuff in too small a place – so it is wonderful. He does seem to know where most things are, and you just occasionally have to hold one pile so that another can be moved to access a third!

His opening hours are a little quirky – but do mean that whether you are holidaying or wokring in the area you should be able to find a time to pop in. And of course, he does operate an online and telephone service if you really can’t pop in.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area. But do set aside enough time to browse and natter…

The post Clicks & Mortar Focus – Mike Danatas Magic Studio, Bournemouth appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

[And if you don’t want to read all about the shop, then do jump to the bottom to read about a bargain they are currently offering!]

So first stop is Merlins of Wakefield, which unsurprisingly can be found in Wakefield (West Yorkshire).

Like many magic shops these days, you have to pass through a small section of party/fancy dress items first. But don’t let that put you off – there is a world of magic waiting beyond.

Phil or Mark will give you a warm welcome and I have been offered a cup of tea on both my visits. They have a wide variety of magic of all kinds – stocking all the more common suppliers as well as having a large range of Tora Magic and Outlaw Effects – neither of which are widely stocked in the UK.

Readers of this site will be pleased to know they have a good range of the standard Bicycle cards and gaff decks, and produce a number of their own exclusive effects in Bicycle stock as well (we will be reviewing one of those shortly…).

I don’t want to keep using the phrase “aladdin’s cave” in these shop reviews – because to some extent it will always be true. But Merlins certainly have plenty to keep you browsing, and Phil or Mark will usually be pleased to demonstrate things, or to give you advice. They are both knowledgeable magicians and are worth listening to.

So definitely worth popping in if you are in the area – we must keep supporting our local magic shops.

And I mentioned a bargain.

In addition to their usual weekly web feature – which is a special reduction on a different item each Friday (see Friday Special on the Merlins site) – they have a special offer for May. They are offering bundles of 5 DVDs worth over £90 for the magical price of just £30. The bundles are mixed, so you might want to ring up or pop in if you have a specific requirement. Otherwise take pot luck and see what you get…

The post Clicks & Mortar Focus – Merlins of Wakefield appeared first on Bicycle Cards.