Neil Schloss can make filing a tax return or starting a new business look like magic to those who can’t handle math. The accountant has always been a whiz with numbers but had something else up his sleeve.
Magician Dennis Eleuteri performs a magic trick for a group of kids at “It’s Magic!,” a new shop in Hightstown he and Neil Schloss, of Millstone, operate. Clients and coworkers at Castle Consulting in Hightstown can attest to Schloss’ delight in tricks.
“It’s kind of ironic that he’s an accountant and part-time magician,” said financial adviser Bob Rooyakkers, Schloss’ co-worker.
“Yes, he does tricks in the office,” receptionist Colleen Dikert said. “Everyone that has come in the last couple months received a card trick. That’s his specialty.”
Fond memories of watching a young David Copperfield perform at childhood birthday parties inspired Schloss to try his own sleight of hand at magic. After turning card tricks for years, he looks forward to bringing the joy of magic to a larger audience and a new generation of aspiring illusionists with a full-service magic shop.
Justin Pinnella, 4, of East Windsor, gets a kick out of a magic trick at “It’s Magic!” in Hightstown. The lifelong magic enthusiast has opened a magic shop next to his accounting and consulting business where Mercer and Main streets meet at the fountain in Hightstown.
“Hightstown is a great location, since it’s located right off the turnpike and we are in the center of town,” Schloss said. “Hightstown has something magical about it, which is why it needs a magic store to bring out the true magic of the town.”
“It’s Magic!” celebrated a grand opening June 11 with performances by magicians, balloon animals for kids, refreshments, raffles and discount offers. Aspiring magicians of all ages attended the event, seeking inspiration, supplies, tricks and camaraderie.
Children crowded the display cases replete with rattle boxes, gigantic dollar bills, hypnotic wheels, magic sponge balls, folding top hats and other tricks for magic kits. Magician Dennis Eleuteri, of Bordentown, stood behind the counter amidst colored posters boasting the wonders of Harry Houdini, Harry A. Jansen, Charles Joseph Carter and Thurston Howard explaining, “We hope to bring the joy of magic into every heart.”
Eleuteri said he wanted to partner with Schloss in opening the magic shop to give children the same experience he had growing up in New Jersey. As a child, he stopped by a magic shop every day after school. Little by little, the owner taught him a trick and he saved up enough money to buy it.
“It was the most amazing trick of all,” Eleuteri said. “Before I left the store, I was ready to do the trick. I went home to show mom and dad and the world. I went on to have drawers and houses full of magic.”
As much as Eleuteri and Schloss love to make people smile and laugh, they love teaching magic.
“We won’t sell any trick to someone who can’t do it,” Eleuteri said. “When people leave here, they will know how to do a trick and to do it well.”
“It’s Magic!” will be open 4-9 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Debora Freedman, office manager of Castle Consulting, said, “This is going to be great. It gives kids the opportunity to come here and enjoy themselves.”
The shop will host birthday parties as well as provide referrals for local magicians for hire. The partners already have plans to expand store hours, offer magic lessons for all ages, host magic shows in conjunction with local restaurants and levitate a woman.
“It’s Magic!” is located at 109 Mercer St. in Hightstown. For more information, call 732- 917-6870.