Magic Theatre

My husband visited Magic Theatre today. This is what he has to say about the shop. It is a place you can trust to back up what they say. When Gene or anyone else tells you that you can return a product if something goes wrong, they mean it. Today (at the last minute) he wanted to buy an item. When he got there the gates were closed, but he could see Gene was still at the counter. He knocked loud on the gate and Gene was nice enough to unlock the door and the gates to ask what he wanted. He then let my husband purchase what he had come for. He is seventy-​two years old and this is the only shop he will go to. He’s talking about since the day it opened (approx. 1968). Back then you looked around to see if anyone was watching you. Now, did any of you older folks get a good laugh at this look back in time?

Love this place! Just went here Sunday and bought me a hookah and tobacco. Everything there is priced fairly, the staff is helpful and friendly, and is all around a great place. Also the quality of their products are very good for their price. For example, when I bought the hookah, it was $ 8 so I thought to myself ‘OK this is gonna break within the 1^st couple of hours of owning it.’ But I was wrong, the hookah is made of pretty sturdy glass for being so small. So now for the hookah tobacco: $ 4 apiece and I bought me cola and orange flavors. First impression: ‘Not gonna taste very good.’ Once again, I was wrong. The flavors of their hookah tobacco is pretty bold and actually has its labeled flavor and good quality. Very impressed with Magic Theatre and I’m most likely to recommend it to my friends. :)

I have been coming here since I moved to San Mateo almost 20 years ago. It is as much a gift shop as a head shop, a very RESPECTABLE FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS that is being run by the next generation. I love to pick up unique gifts, jewerly and t-​shirts here. Yes they sell head supplies, but don’t let that intimidate you. IT IS SO MUCH MORE and the sticker wall alone is great. THIS IS THE WAY TO RUN A HEAD SHOP, and IT HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE SIXTIES, that is why!!! Something for everybody here, in every price range. I am glad the inferior (newer) like-​minded businessess that have sprung up nearby have not affected the spirit of the ORIGINAL AND BEST.

I’ve been coming here for 20 years. since I was 18 years old. Magic Theater is an awesome, family owned and run business. I’ve NEVER been disappointed with the service or my shopping experiences here. Lisa is GREAT. Super friendly and always helping me out and spending extra time answering any questions I might have. Kerry is super chill, down to earth and always recognizes me. even 20 years later. I will always be loyal to Magic Theater!

Wait. Seriously? This place has 4.5 stars? I think that’s about 10 stars too many. If I could have given this place a couple negative stars to reduce the ratings so other patrons wouldn’t be tricked into coming here, I would. It might even count as a good deed. Can I get into heaven by steering people away from «The Smoke Shop from Hell»? Guess I’ll have to wait and see…
I like to give fair reviews, so I would like to start out by saying that the merchandise that they have in here isn’t half bad. I mean, you aren’t going to find anything special or out of the ordinary, but it seems like a pretty clean head shop that will serve all your basic needs. They have all the typical items, and I really only needed one thing. Easy enough, right? You would think so…
I walked in to a woman talking on the phone very loudly. She was the only person watching the store, and there was absolutely no one else in there. She saw me walk in. I know she did, because, A. she was sitting on a chair facing the doorway, B. we met eyes, and if that doesn’t convince you, there’s always the less subtle C. I waved hi to her. Nothing. She just looked away and continued her animated conversation. Since there were glass cases all around, I thought that maybe looking longingly into one would prompt a helpful response. Nope. Maybe if I walked around and looked at ALL the glass cases, she’d get the hint. Five minutes later, and I’m still here… waiting for her to acknowledge my existence. It was pretty degrading. Maybe… maybe I’m invisible? Maybe I’m a ghost and she can’t possibly see me… I keep looking at her, but she just glances right past me. Never once did she pause from her conversation to say, «Hello», «How can I help you?», or even «What the hell do you want?», which I would have accepted at this point. After about literally 10 minutes in that tiny space with no help, I finally asked her if it was a bad time and if I should come back later. She looked at me, gave me a combination fake smile + chuckle, and just continued with her conversation, apparently not even having tried to understand what I just said to her. I couldn’t do anything else. I tried my best, and it was not good enough for the rude woman at the counter with short blonde hair…
All in all, I would say that my experience at Magic Theater was not magical at all. However, I would say that if you like being treated like a second-​class citizen, you love horrible customer service, OR you just like the feeling of being ignored, DEFINITELY check this place out. I’m sure they have just the right amount of «we don’t give a f*** about you» for all your frustration needs. On the other hand, if you want some quality merchandise with an excellent staff, check out The Cave. They’re not too far from here, have a MUCH larger store, and the people actually don’t mind working for their customers.

This is the head shop that wrote the book. Almost as old as i am, they’ve only gotten better over the years. Gene, the owner, runs a class A shop. Magic Theatre has what your looking for. A little bit of everything, with very reasonable prices. (you wont find any $ 4K «water pipes» here). What you will find is a modest selection of a wide variety of smoking utensils, incense, stickers /​pins, scales, oils, T shirts, lighters, Jewelry. .. . you get the idea. This «Gift Shop «is the place to find that «hard to find gift «for that special someone. With an extremely friendly staff your needs are sure to be met. If by chance they don’t have what you’re looking for, Talk to Gene and he will provide. I wish more shops of this nature existed but thats not the case. Truly a «unique «shop. Don says «Check it out «.

No other shop compares in this county. This is the original and after all these years still the best! I can’t believe i’m only the 9^th reviewer.

Seriously, this place is ok at best. All their glass is overpriced, and not all that amazing to be honest. The owner is cool, some of the girls are too, but some are just plain stupid and not helpful. If you want cliché incense burners or tie died shirts come here… I dont think anyone else even sells that garbage. Basically, 15 years ago it was the only place in the area and so it was fine, but theres a lot more, and better, competition. My advice– shop around

Super friendly service every time. They have everything you could ever need and the prices are usually cheaper than in the city!

I just love going there, they have some of the coolest stuff (not just a head shop) but some really neat nick nacks too. Not to mention everyone there is so nice, Where else can you go where the staff remembers you and your name? You just gotta love’em…

ahahahaha when i was first reading the other reviews, i was like «what the hell is a HEAD SHOP?» so i googled it… ahhhhhhhhhh. ok yes, it’s a head shop =)
gene, the owner, is super duper friendly.
who needs to go to the city when you got magic theater? everything and anything you would ever need for your head-​shopism is here! and i mean, everything! i’m all for it man.

Thank the Heavens for Magic Theater. I can remember going to to Magic Theater when it was across the street on the same side as the florists. Everything you need and more. I just love all of the bumper stickers, etc.
To everyone who works there, you’re the best. See everyone soon.
JZ

I am not at liberty to talk about how wonderful this place is.

I love this place. All the atmosphere and more of something you would see on Haight Street with less of the crowds and just good staff that remember you and take care of you with a smile. A smoker’s-of all kinds paradise. Check out the vintage stickers, pins and accessories too.

The first smoke shop in San Mateo (oldist in the entire peninsula if im not mistaken) and I really hope it stays forever. It should be a historical landmark. All glass pipes are of high quality. They also have great gift items such as shirts, posters, magazines and incense. They have a wide selection of rolling papers and even carry hard to find brands. Magic Theater is also great because you dont have to drive all the way up to the city for a good qualty glass at fair prices.

Wow, I can’t believe no one has reviewed this place! This head shop… er…tobacco store, has been in this location for as long as I can remember. I haven’t been in here in years and don’t smoke, so I can’t vouch for the tobacco products/​accessories. However, when I was a teenager we used to sneak in here to look at the band posters and decals. In fact, in the 1990s in San Mateo county people used to frequently have «Pearl Jam», «Nirvana» «STP» etc decals on their cars, and these high-​quality vinyl decals were likely bought at Magic Theatre since it was pretty much the only place around here you could buy them. Oh, the memories…
This place has been open since 1968, so it really is one of the first head shops.