The year was 1976. It was not only the bicentennial of our country, but it was also the 50th anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death. Suspended off the biggest building in Champaign, 21 stories off the ground was Andy Dallas, performing his first major escape act. The roads were closed off, an almost electric energy permeated through the air, and 4,000 eager faces looked up at the man hanging upside down in a straightjacket, anticipating the shock of a lifetime. As Dallas swiftly loosened himself out of the straightjacket, the spectators were not disappointed.

After he successfully recreated one of Houdini’s classic escapes, doors began to open for Dallas. Though he had been performing magic since the age of 11, the straightjacket act marked his full immersion into the magic world.

“I’ve been on some of the most wonderful magic stages in the world,” Dallas said, as he reminisced over some of his favorite performances. “There’s Abbott’s (Magic Company), which is out of Michigan. It was at one time the United States capital of magic. But to be on that stage … every magician wanted to be on that stage. I was on it twice.”

Serving as the president of the Society of American Magicians from 2006 to 2007, Dallas stood in the shadow of Houdini, as he too had once been president of the organization. He also participated in the Society of American Magicians convention, which gave him the opportunity to perform for about 1,000 world-renowned magicians from different countries.

“How could I have done it better? If I had to do it all over again, I’d come back as a magician,” Dallas said.

His interest in magic was always a prevalent factor in his life, but 37 years ago when he opened Dallas & Co., he was able to fuse his passions for magic and other novelty hobbies together. Though Dallas originally established a small store that only sold arcade games, he later decided to expand, and relocated to 101 East University Ave. in downtown Champaign.

Today, his business holds over 20,000 items, ranging from over 2,000 costumes to Hollywood masks to theatrical makeup, and even manacles, if you should need them.

“I’ve been there (Dallas & Co.) about 10 times over about 10 years,” said Tyler Jones, freshman in FAA. “I would definitely visit the store again because it is very well-known around Champaign, and they have a lot of cool and unique stuff.”

With a 37-year presence, Dallas & Co. has expanded and altered over the years to include even more items. When the store owner of an upholstery shop across the street retired, Dallas bought his collection of piñatas. He then began to purchase toys and candy that customers could fill the piñatas with.

Dallas has also acquired a large assortment of vintage pieces, such as the 6-foot tall clown that sits behind the register, made in 1900. The giant gorilla appropriately situated in the “gorilla room,” as Dallas calls it, was purchased 18 years ago for $25,000.

“I’ve got a store here full of things you don’t have to have,” Dallas said. “But don’t you think everyone should own a rubber chicken once in their life?”

These days, besides working at the store, Dallas is gearing up for another performance in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. He also continues to participate in a show about 12 miles away at the Busboom Castle in Dewey, Ill. The 5,000 square-foot castle, surrounded by five acres of forest, was built by Bruce Busboom. It features the only working drawbridge in America, a moat and a large great room.

Busboom and Dallas started hosting a dinner show at the castle some years ago, and since it’s inception, the 60 available seats for each show have sold out, around 1,000 people in all.

During these performances, Dallas executes some of the tricks he’s known for throughout the magic community. According to the magic society, Fechter’s Finger-Flicking Frolic, Andy Dallas is the best in the world at “Zombie Ball,” a trick that creates a floating ball illusion completed with a scarf. It took 35 years for Dallas to master, and he’s still perfecting it.

“It’s definitely on my to-do list to see (Dallas) do an escape trick,” said Amie Harvey, employee at Dallas & Co. and sophomore in LAS.

Now that Dallas’ son is getting involved in the business, Dallas hopes that he can step back and let him take over one day.

“This job has been amazing. And turning it over to my family, that would be even more amazing,” Dallas said.

Just as he astonished those 4,000 people 36 years ago, Dallas still aspires to touch people through magic and his store.

“However I’m remembered, I’m remembered. I’ve tried to be a good person and provide a service for my community,” Dallas said. “The most important thing in my life has been my wife and my son. If I have anything to say, that’s it; just having them there for me.”

Alice can be reached at [email protected].