Who out there knew Long Beach (CA) had its very own magic shop? No, scratch that… its very own magic institution? Well, we sure didn’t, but thanks to this article that C forwarded to me this afternoon, T and I had the pleasure to discover the magic for ourselves first-hand. Sadly, it all disappears for good tomorrow (Friday May 31, 2013). No, that’s not a prank, RMT’ers.

T in front of Presto Magic on Viking Way in Long Beach (CA). The store closes for good (no trick) tomorrow, May 31, 2013.

Presto Magic on Viking Way in Long Beach (that diagonal lane between Carson St. and Bellflower Blvd.) closes its doors for good tomorrow. You can read another article here for more of the 3o+ year history behind Presto Magic.

A line for Frederic “Presto” Broder at Presto Magic, his magic shop of 30+ years in Long Beach (CA). The store closes for good May 31, 2013. I wish we’d waited to say goodbye in person as Presto looks and sounds like an awesome guy, but alas we’d already waited 20+ minutes until I gave another worker $10 for our small haul of tricks and gadgets. A five-year-old can only wait so long as can the mother, right RMT’ers? Now only if there was a magic spell for waiting in lines!

One of the workers at Presto Magic entertaining patrons as they waited in line. He did all kinds of tricks and illusions for us, which made the wait not so bad at all. Really going to miss this little shop, and we just learned about it today.

Basically had we known about this spot before today, we’d have been here often. This place looks like it was the real deal, run by magicians and everything. I overheard one of owner Frederic “Presto” Broder’s friends talking about when he auditioned at the Magic Castle. Now that’s awesome.

Also, I grew up loving – and I mean LOVING – that magic store on Main Street at Disneyland. I still have fond memories of getting little tricks and pranks there once a year or whenever we visited. To now know that we had a little magic store just four miles from our house and now we won’t, and all without the additional entrance charge that comes with a visit to Disneyland… well, that makes me a little sad! And I know T would have loved to have come here again and again given his new-found love of all things Harry Potter.

Look at the handwriting. This alone was magical to me!

T finally got his magic wand… and for a whole lot less than it would have cost us at that Harry Potter store in London!

So don’t you miss out either, RMT’ers! I know it’s only going to be a one-time visit but it’s worth it to say goodbye to a piece of Long Beach history. Presto Magic closes up shop tomorrow, Friday May 31. I overheard the owner telling patrons via phone that his hours today were Noon til 5 p.m., so I am thinking same hours tomorrow, but please call to be sure (562-425-4318). Also Presto was pretty busy today (though never too busy to pick up the phone, answer all questions, or entertain his patrons, just like he always does), so be prepared for a long line should you buy anything… and I am betting that the magic of the place will put a spell on you to at least leave with a little piece of the magic before it’s gone for good.

Presto Magic is at 4195 N Viking Way, Long Beach, CA 90808, but just until tomorrow (May 31, 2013) only and then… POOF!