Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities is a unique and intriguing shop located in the heart of a small town. This quaint store is renowned for its vast collection of antiques and unusual items, captivating visitors from near and far. Upon walking through the doors of Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities, one is immediately entranced by the aura of mystery and curiosity that permeates the air. The store is filled with an assortment of items ranging from vintage trinkets to the truly bizarre. One can find ornate antique furniture, beautifully crafted grandfather clocks, and delicate porcelain dolls that transport you back in time. These well-preserved relics tell stories of the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia and wonder in anyone who peruses them.
But once you get past the human leg bone, the creepy Santa and the mummified bat displayed in a small metal box that looks like a miniature coffin, the magic really begins.
News Geography Communities Elmhurst Controlling Tags Members Get More Life Entertainment Entertainment Controlling Tags Article Types Video Featured Video Business Business Industries Small Business --. Many of the items in the eclectic collection are for sale, including the mummified remains of a cat discovered in a Victorian-era barn, a variety of antique rosaries, and a collection of unusual and somewhat creepy art.
These well-preserved relics tell stories of the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia and wonder in anyone who peruses them. In addition to the traditional antiques, Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities boasts an impressive collection of oddities that surpass expectations. The shelves are adorned with peculiar objects such as taxidermy creatures with two heads and miniature preserved alien specimens.
Elmhurst curiosities shop traffics in the strange and magical
Perhaps the biggest curiosity about Bob James' Magic Shop & Curiosities in downtown Elmhurst is the shop itself.
You can spend a lot of time in a lot of suburban downtowns without coming across a store where you can buy bones from an assortment of animals, straitjackets, gothic religious iconography and, of course, magic tricks to amaze and amuse your friends.
Step inside the business at the corner of York and First streets and it's a little like walking into something out of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!"
Many of the items in the eclectic collection are for sale, including the mummified remains of a cat discovered in a Victorian-era barn, a variety of antique rosaries, and a collection of unusual and somewhat creepy art.
Other pieces are not for sale, such as the skull of a two-faced calf that was born in 1955 and died shortly thereafter.
The man behind the counter is magician and proprietor Bob James, 50, who opened the shop in 1992 as a way to give himself more exposure as a magician.
Having a brick-and-mortar location, he says, gives his act more validity than if he just booked appearances out of his house. Having a place to meet potential customers face to face "makes me a little different from my competition," James said.
News||Geography||Communities||Elmhurst||Controlling Tags||Members Get More||Life & Entertainment||Entertainment||Controlling Tags||Article Types||Video||Featured Video||Business||Business Industries||Small Business|| -->
by signing up you agree to our terms of serviceBob James, magician and proprietor of Bob James' Magic Shop & Curiosities in downtown Elmhurst, shows off a fortuneteller machine from the old Riverview Park in Chicago. - Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
When the store first opened, many of its shelves were filled with book after book about how to perform and perfect tricks for aspiring magicians of all ages.
Now many of those books have been replaced with a smaller collection of instructional DVDs. "It became, 'How do I fill up this space?' because the magic industry was taking a hit and it was slowing down," James said.
One benefit of the switch was that it freed space for his collection of oddities -- some of which seem straight out of a nightmare.
But once you get past the human leg bone, the creepy Santa and the mummified bat displayed in a small metal box that looks like a miniature coffin, the magic really begins.
s because James also uses the venue to host magic-themed birthday parties for children. He performs a show to start the party and then leads the kids in a workshop where they learn age-appropriate magic tricks.
He also provides partygoers with pizza and cake.
"He is very talented," longtime customer and friend Daniel Smulson said. "His magic shows always get the kids laughing, even the moms."
The skull of a two-headed calf is one of the many bizarre things on display at Bob James' Magic Shop & Curiosities in Elmhurst. - Bev Horne | Staff Photographer
Just getting to the party room is a kind of trick. The staircase leading down to the party room is hidden by an ordinary-looking wall of merchandise that James can magically open.
Smulson, who works across the street, said he befriended James soon after first walking into the shop.
He says the secret of James' success -- besides his ability to do amazing things with playing cards and foam balls -- is his basic kindness.
"Bob is one of the most generous people I have ever met," Smulson said. "He would give the shirt off his back to anybody."
James is also something of a local magic historian. He has collected information and documents about Elmhurst's own Harlan Tarbel, a nationally known stage magician and illustrator active throughout the early 20th century.
James also has a 1926 photograph of Elmhurst firefighters posing in front of what is now his shop when it was still People's Bank.
His interest in history aside, James knows the future is a murky one for magicians and the art of illusion. Public interest is declining and there's always the threat that one day the last remaining magician will truly disappear.
Indeed, James performed his own vanishing act back in 2010 when he closed the shop for 30 months because roadwork made it difficult for patrons to find their way in.
But he says he received calls from parents whose children had attended birthday parties or taken magic lessons at the shop and wanted him to reopen. And so, like any good magician, he pulled a rabbit out of his hat and made his store reappear.
"I didn't think we were going to come back as a retail store in this town," he said, "but people kept asking about our programs for children."
Just getting to the party room is a kind of trick. The staircase leading down to the party room is hidden by an ordinary-looking wall of merchandise that James can magically open.
These items may seem strange to some, but they draw in fascinated individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of the world's curiosities. What sets this store apart is its magical touch. Bob James, the owner and curator, possesses an uncanny ability to infuse even the most ordinary objects with a sprinkle of enchantment. It is not unusual to find items that possess unexpected powers or secrets waiting to be discovered. The shop does not only cater to collectors or those with a specific interest in antiques and oddities; it appeals to all who appreciate the art of storytelling. Each item has a tale to tell, and Bob James is always eager to share the fascinating history behind his collection. Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities is not merely a store but a portal to a different time and world. It is a place where imagination runs wild, where the past converges with the present, and where ordinary objects become extraordinary with each passing visitor. Whether one is a seasoned collector or simply curious about the bizarre and magical, a trip to Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities promises to be an unforgettable experience. Prepare to be transported into a realm of wonder and delight as you step into this extraordinary establishment..
Reviews for "Relics of the Past: Bob James' Magic Antiques and Oddities"
1. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with my experience at Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities. The moment I walked in, I was struck by the overwhelming musty smell and cluttered appearance of the store. The items on display looked worn-out and ancient, not in a charming vintage way but more like they were forgotten and neglected for years. To make matters worse, the staff was unhelpful and seemed disinterested in assisting me. Overall, I found the whole experience to be underwhelming and would not recommend this store to anyone looking for quality antiques or oddities.
2. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes when I came across Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The selection of items was limited, and most of them were not in good condition. It felt like they were just trying to pass off junk as antiques. The prices were also quite high for the quality of the items offered. Additionally, the staff had no knowledge or passion for the products they were selling, which made the whole experience even more disappointing. I left the store feeling unsatisfied and would not visit again.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - My visit to Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities left me feeling underwhelmed. The store seemed disorganized and lacked any sort of curated collection. It felt more like a jumble of random items rather than a carefully curated selection of antiques and oddities. In addition, the prices were exorbitant, especially considering the subpar quality of the items. The staff also seemed disinterested and unhelpful, making me feel like I was bothering them by asking questions. Overall, I was not impressed with this store and would not recommend it to others searching for unique and high-quality items.
4. John - 1 star - I regretted stepping foot into Bob James Magic Antiques and Oddities. The whole place was dusty and filled with clutter. The merchandise looked like someone had raided their grandmother's attic and put everything up for sale. There was no sense of organization or theme to the items. It felt like a mishmash of junk rather than a curated collection. The staff was equally disappointing, lacking knowledge or enthusiasm for the products. Skip this place if you're looking for anything remotely interesting or of value.