The mysterious witch secrets of Grey House Grey House has long been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. According to local legend, the house is home to a coven of powerful witches who possess secret and ancient knowledge. These witches are said to be guardians of ancient spells and rituals that have been passed down through generations. The secrets hidden within Grey House are believed to hold the key to immense power and the ability to manipulate the forces of the universe. It is said that these witches can control the elements, heal the sick, and even see into the future. They are believed to use their abilities for both good and evil, depending on their own personal motivations.
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.
They are believed to use their abilities for both good and evil, depending on their own personal motivations. However, gaining access to these secrets is not an easy feat. The witches of Grey House are notoriously secretive and protective of their knowledge.
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.
They have erected powerful enchantments and spells to guard their secrets from outsiders. Many who have attempted to infiltrate Grey House have been met with disaster and have never been seen or heard from again. It is said that those who are able to prove themselves worthy may be granted entry into Grey House and the opportunity to learn from the witches themselves. However, the requirements to gain this privilege are unknown and remain a closely guarded secret. It is believed that these witches are only interested in teaching those who show a true understanding and respect for the power they wield and the responsibilities that come with it. The witches of Grey House are a fascinating and enigmatic group, who continue to captivate the imaginations of those who crave power and knowledge. The secrets they hold remain a mystery, locked away within the walls of Grey House and protected by powerful magic. Only those deemed worthy will be able to uncover the true nature of these secrets, and harness the immense power that lies within..
Reviews for "The Supernatural Secrets of Grey House's Mysterious Witch Revealed"
1. Emily - 1 star
This book was a complete disappointment for me. I found the plot to be confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along with the story. The characters lacked depth and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre at best, leaving much to be desired. I was hoping for an intriguing and engaging witchy mystery, but unfortunately, "The mysterious witch secrets of grey house" fell flat for me.
2. Thomas - 2 stars
I was initially drawn to this book because of its promising title, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The story felt repetitive and predictable, with cliché elements of witchcraft that did not bring anything new to the table. The pacing was painfully slow, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I found "The mysterious witch secrets of grey house" to be a lackluster and unoriginal read.
3. Sarah - 1 star
"The mysterious witch secrets of grey house" was a tedious and uninspiring book. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked any real depth or complexity. The plot was riddled with plot holes and inconsistencies, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Furthermore, the writing style was bland and lacked any sense of creativity or originality. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an exciting and captivating witch-themed read.