The Malliway Bros magic and witchcraft shop in Rogers Park smells of incense.
Above shelves full of books and candles are cabinets with dolls and other suspected haunted items customers have brought into the store.
While many small businesses had to downsize or close during the pandemic, owners Wycke and Blake Malliway moved to this larger space at the corner of Morse and Glenwood in 2021.
Wycke says a lot of people discovered witchcraft during lockdown.
“They were stuck inside. They were either making bread or making spells and we were lucky enough to be able to be selling spells.”
As we sit in comfortable chairs in the front of the store, Blake explains why strands of rope hanging from a chandelier above us are adorned with pinecones, feathers and stones.
“Each thing that we bind into these knots has a specific intention. So you have protection, you have healing, you’ve got luck, abundance,” he says.
They teach several classes each month on casting spells and seasonal rituals.
The shop draws from all over the Midwest and the brothers say they have items for customers at any level of interest in the occult.
Halloween is their busiest holiday but Wycke says they see an uptick around Christmas.
“Everyone knows a weird person so they find stuff here.”
They hope people also find community in the cozy shop.
Blake says they “do a good job of keeping it local but we let the magic spread as best as we can”.