Back in August, we were wondering what would become of the former TLA Video space at 517 S. 4th St., and couldn’t understand why the fairly narrow storefront was being partitioned into two even smaller retail spaces. At the time, one of our readers mentioned a rumor that a magic shop was filling one of the spaces, and a glass blowing studio was taking the other. We still don’t know about the glass blowing, but we can absolutely confirm the magic shop.

Foremost Building

Trick Zone

Trick Zone, a magic shop located at the Piazza in Northern Liberties, is in the process of opening a second location here, in a building that once held the Hocus Pocus magic shop for many years. From what we understand based on a thread on Philadelphia Speaks, owner Seth Rovner intends to not only use the space to sell magic paraphernalia and gags, but will also host magic shows in the space, as he does in the Northern Liberties shop.

As far as location goes, this seems like a perfect one for this concept. With the foot traffic that South St. brings, particularly of a younger demographic, we imagine Trick Zone will stay plenty busy, and will have lots of walk-up viewers for their shows. With so few stores like it in Philadelphia, we’re glad to see this addition to South St., and hope that whatever comes into the adjacent space complements Trick Zone’s business.

Rovner expects the business to be open with regular hours in the next couple of weeks.