The first Hocus Pocus Magic shop was opened by Paul Gross in 1976 in Fresno, CA.
In 1997, Paul and his wife, Betty, opened the Internet-based Hocus Pocus Magic Shop bringing magic to a much larger audience than they ever thought possible.
The real beginning of this story, though, is in October 1960 when a five-year-old Paul Gross watched the first episode of the Magic Land of Allakazam on television. The show, hosted by and featuring the magic of Nani and Mark Wilson, started Paul on his lifelong love affair with all things magic. As a child, Paul was obsessed with magic tricks; as a teenager he started performing magic professionally for schools, clubs, and every venue that existed.
As a twenty-year-old, Paul was traveling the USA doing corporate shows for one of the world’s largest banks.
He then opened the first Hocus Pocus Magic Shop in 1976; he needed to sell $100 a day to make it work, and make it work he did.
Paul continued performing professionally for decades after opening the Shop, honing his magic skills and perfecting his close-up and stage shows.
Paul knows magic from personal experience and delights in discussing effects and illusions with today’s working professionals, hobbyists and collectors. It is this personal attention to the needs of its customers that is a cornerstone of Hocus Pocus’ culture and mission.
Paul and Betty opened the internet-based Hocus Pocus in 1997. They went from picking up a few emails in the morning and spending most of the day on the phone to servicing an international clientele with one of the world’s largest assortments of magic items (over 30,000) as well as the most extensive collection of Vintage and Collectible effects and illusions in the world.
Today’s Hocus Pocus, while continuing to carry the very best of all the new releases from the world’s top magicians and magic companies, also works with many professional magicians to produce their exclusive effects for sale at Hocus Pocus. This partnership with professional magicians allows Hocus Pocus to continue to be the leader in the magic industry, bring the best in magic effect development to its clientele.
Paul and the entire Hocus Pocus staff want to share the benefit of their knowledge and experience with you along with the largest selection of magic equipment and supplies online today.
