The Magic Castle Gift Shop in Orlando is a haven for lovers of magic and all things mystical. Located in the heart of Orlando, this enchanting gift shop is a popular destination for visitors of all ages. Upon entering the shop, visitors are greeted with shelves upon shelves of magical items. From spell books and potion ingredients to wands and magical creatures, there is something for every aspiring magician or magic aficionado. The shop is beautifully designed, with dim lighting and whimsical decorations that transport guests into a world of fantasy. One of the highlights of the Magic Castle Gift Shop is its extensive collection of wands.
“If you are bringing in fake product, they will catch you,” Ansari said.
It is now run by General Manager Nayyar Ansari, who came to the United States 31 years ago from Pakistan and owned his own gift shop before going to work for the Sheik family. Kitschy souvenirs and shirts were the reason she and her friends made one last stop at Magic Castle Gift Shop in Kissimmee before they ended their spring break visit.
One of the highlights of the Magic Castle Gift Shop is its extensive collection of wands. Whether you're a fan of Harry Potter or simply want to channel your inner wizard, there is a wand to suit every taste. The wands are crafted with intricate details and come in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and resin.
Central Florida tourist gift shops hang on among tough competition
Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel Savannah Corwin, 19, of Independence, Kentucky, visits the Magic Castle, a gift shop that stands out along the tourist district at W. Highway 192 in Kissimmee. Corwin is shopping for family members back home.
Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel One of the many items for sale at the Magic Castle. Show Caption PUBLISHED: March 23, 2018 at 6:00 a.m. | UPDATED: April 5, 2019 at 7:53 a.m.Savannah Corwin loaded a rolling basket with tie-dyed “Orlando” T-shirts, magnets and gifts, as her teammates on the North Kentucky University bowling squad perused gator claws, tiny potted orange trees and shot glasses.
Kitschy souvenirs and shirts were the reason she and her friends made one last stop — at Magic Castle Gift Shop in Kissimmee — before they ended their spring break visit. The store is a landmark on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway topped with a giant purple-hatted and bearded wizard, and across from other gift shops with brightly colored rockets and eagles adorning their exteriors.
“The wizard definitely drew our attention — and the $1.99 shirts sign,” said Corwin, a 19-year-old freshman at the college in Highland Heights, Ky. “Everyone I know said they want gifts. It seemed like I could get a lot of different things here at a good price.”
Gift shops like these remain a retail force constant in Central Florida’s tourist corridors even as shopping malls suffer, internet sellers intrude and stores struggle to find a place in an evolving retail economy. There are more than a dozen each of such merchants on International Drive, on Apopka-Vineland Road and on U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee.
One of the many items for sale at the Magic Castle.Even though they rely on car and foot traffic, store operators said they are also trying to transform their businesses with online sales to keep up with shifts in buying habits.
Tourists spent about $6.5 billion in Central Florida in 2016 on retail purchases, according to figures from Visit Orlando. Much of that is spent at theme parks, national chains and outlet malls, but small shops stand to gain big if they can even lure away a small part of that total, said Asli Tasci, an assistant professor of tourism studies at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality.
“Compared to big shopping centers and malls, they seem small and with little contribution. However, little here and little there, it adds up and tourists leave those dollars behind,” she said. “Besides, it would be so boring if it were only the big shopping centers and malls that tourists would have to go to for purchasing little keepsakes.”
One gift shop company, Ocean Air Enterprises Inc., has 350 employees at its 16 shops in those three areas and is preparing to build a new 40,000-square-foot warehouse on Municipal Drive near International Drive in south Orange County.
Yousef Sheik founded Ocean Air as a gift shop business in Central Florida more than 40 years ago. It is now run by General Manager Nayyar Ansari, who came to the United States 31 years ago from Pakistan and owned his own gift shop before going to work for the Sheik family. Ansari said many gift shop owners are immigrants from Asia or South America.
Even as the company grows, it’s been ramping up its online sales — which are done through a channel on Amazon.com. Ansari said the warehouse expansion is partially to accommodate growing online sales.
“This is the future and we need to adapt like any other store,” he said.
Savannah Corwin, 19, of Independence, Kentucky, visits the Magic Castle, a gift shop that stands out along the tourist district at W. Highway 192 in Kissimmee. Corwin is shopping for family members back home.
Ocean Air became an empire by purchasing other shops, keeping prices low with expanded purchasing power and through owning the land on which its stores sit, Ansari said. But it is a highly competitive business.
Ocean Air sources its Disney character T-shirts from wholesalers nationwide but needs to be vigilant for proper trademarks, he said, because there are aggressive enforcement teams at the theme park companies that visit — incognito — and check merchandise.
“If you are bringing in fake product, they will catch you,” Ansari said.
One parking lot on International Drive near the former Wet n’ Wild water park property has four gift shops, including the Bargain World run by Ocean Air, and two more stores owned by Carlos Gutierrez.
His Gusi Shop sells T-shirts, magnets and luggage as well as aspirin, batteries, digital cameras and lighters. But Gusi and other stores on the block have been hit hard by the closing of Wet n’ Wild at the end of 2016, a dropoff in foot traffic, and the closing of a few nearby restaurants. Gutierrez drew up a list of 20-plus closures to show to his landlord to bargain for a rent decrease.
He also has launched an online website to sell goods.
“We depend on foot traffic,” said Gutierrez, whose stores also employ his wife, daughter, son and one other employee. “Business is very competitive, but when there are a lot of people, business is good. Now we have to work harder.”
His Gusi Shop sells T-shirts, magnets and luggage as well as aspirin, batteries, digital cameras and lighters. But Gusi and other stores on the block have been hit hard by the closing of Wet n’ Wild at the end of 2016, a dropoff in foot traffic, and the closing of a few nearby restaurants. Gutierrez drew up a list of 20-plus closures to show to his landlord to bargain for a rent decrease.
In addition to wands, the shop also offers a wide range of spell books. From ancient grimoires filled with powerful incantations to modern spell books for beginners, there is a book to cater to every level of magical expertise. The shopkeepers are knowledgeable and can help guide visitors in selecting the perfect spell book for their needs. For those looking to add a touch of magic to their homes, the Magic Castle Gift Shop also offers a variety of enchanted items. From crystal balls and magical mirrors to talking portraits and levitating candles, there are plenty of options to choose from. These items make unique and enchanting decorations, adding a sprinkle of magic to any space. Overall, the Magic Castle Gift Shop in Orlando is a magical destination for anyone with an interest in the mystical. With its extensive collection of magical items and knowledgeable staff, it offers a truly enchanting experience. Whether you're a seasoned magician or simply a fan of fantasy, this gift shop is worth a visit..
Reviews for "Embrace the Magic at the Magic Castle Gift Shop Orlando"
1. John - 1 star
I had high expectations for the Magic Castle Gift Shop in Orlando, but I left extremely disappointed. The gift shop lacked variety and originality in its merchandise. It felt like they had the same generic items you can find in any other tourist shop. Additionally, the staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful. Overall, it was a waste of time and money, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a unique souvenir shopping experience in Orlando.
2. Lisa - 2 stars
I visited the Magic Castle Gift Shop during my vacation in Orlando, and I have to say, I was underwhelmed. The shop was small and cramped, making it difficult to navigate through the merchandise. The prices were also quite high for what they were offering. I expected to find unique and magical items, but instead, it was filled with cheaply made trinkets and overpriced souvenirs. It was definitely not worth the hype, and I wouldn't bother going back or recommending it to others.