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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28th, 2022
Historical Marker To Be Unveiled at Easley's Corner.
Easley's Fun Shop to be commemorated in bronze.
Bert Easley's Fun Shop aka “Easley's Fun Shop” was an iconic fixture in Phoenix at 509 West McDowell Road for over 60 years. The Fun Shop was THE go-to place for Halloween costumes and paraphernalia during October, but for many it was the Mecca for magic and magicians. Bert Easley was a successful Vaudeville magician and when Bert moved to Phoenix, he opened his shop in 1947 at a downtown Phoenix bus depot. In 1956 he moved the growing business to 509 West McDowell where it remained and grew until it was sold in 2019. During those years, Easley's Fun Shop help nurture and launch the careers of many world-famous magicians, including (but not limited to) Andre Kole, Ed and Nanci Keener, Laurence and Heidi Parsons, Diana (Schulz) Zimmerman, and Michael Finney.
At the 75th Anniversary Party for Magic Club “Ring 55 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians” held August 13th, the suggestion was made by Diana Zimmerman that a plaque should be installed to commemorate the contribution that Easley's Fun Shop made to the world of entertaining magic. The club members enthusiastically supported the idea and a raffle was held to raise the necessary funds along with an assist from the “Finney Foundation”, and the bronze plaque was ordered.
The new owners of the property agreed and the plaque will be installed in a highly visible location on the property. An unveiling presentation will be made on October 28th at 2:00 pm, Arizona time. Members of the local magic community will be in attendance, along with Carol Easley the matriarch of the Easley Family. The timing of this unveiling is significant because it comes at Halloween time, when Easley's was helping fulfill the costume fantasies of thousands of Phoenicians for the spooky holiday, but Halloween, October 31st, also marks the death of the world's most famous magician, Harry Houdini. Magic and Halloween are forever united because of this event. 509 West McDowell Road is now known as “Easley's Center” and houses a micro-brewery and a coffee shop, with more shops to be added.
Members of the local media are invited to attend the unveiling and Carol Easley as well as local magicians will be available for comments. Some magicians may perform!
A beloved business was commemorated with a bronze plaque, which pays tribute to Easley's Fun Shop, which was a Phoenix fixture for over 60 years near 5th Ave. and McDowell Road before it closed in Dec. 2019. (no audio) https://www.fox10phoenix.com/video/1145562
