Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Joke/Magic shop King Street

Hi Folks
Does anybody remember a joke shop/magic shop on King Street opposite the Driving test centre in the 1960's ? I think it was called Kardoonis ?? and the guy who owned it also had a similar shop just behind the old cafe, down a side street of Victoria Road in New Brighton.
Any info and/or photos would be much appreciated.
Ken

Yes remember it well it wasa bit further up opposite Rice Lane or Millers shop if you remember Millers.

Yeah that's the one. I remember the old fellah who used to be in the shop, seemed quite weird, and always had a pipe in his mouth.

They used to sell second hand LP's there too. I bought my first records there, Slade Alive & Slayed! still got them & they are still great!

I bought a copy of Purple Haze by Hendrix from there, on a white Track Records label, would probably be worth a few quid now.
Also remember the trick chewing gum and other things.
How innocent things were in those days.

I also used to buy LPs from him, remember he sold cine 8 films some under the counter dodgy ones, not that I ever bought them.

Yeah ...remember it well he used to sell ex juke box recorda ...I went in once and got singles that were still in the charts for 10p each ...he was a magician and did kids parties etc he was a strange guy (I remember the pipe as well)...I seem to remember another customer calling him Tommy.

Wow yes, I recall now, you are right, he did do kids parties, etc.
He also used to buy records, always gave you a terrible price !!

I will have to research this a bit more.

Thanks for your memories, etc folks, if you remember any more then please post it up on here.

Ken

i remember the guy in new brighton was a magician.....

he used to make my pocket money disappear every week

Tom Dickinson was Karduni's real name at 60 King Street.

i lived round their as a kid always in their we lived above the motor bike shop a long time ago.

Such great info and memories guys.
Tatey you are a star.
Thanks SO much to all of you.
Please post more if you have it.
Ken

You know what the one thing that has just struck me....the shop had a characteristic smell ....not dirty but a strong odour like wicker or something along those lines.

I remember being mostly smoked-out by the pipe he was usually smoking. Just thought, didn't he wear a bow-tie, probably squirted water no doubt !!!

Breretons motorcycles.