An eleven-year-old Chet Shifflett went to the traveling carnival expecting to see the standard elephants and games but instead found a surprise that would inspire him for years to come.ﾠ
A magician happened to be with the troupe and gave multiple 15-minute performances throughout the day.ﾠ The trick that hooked Shifflett was a vanishing bowl of water.ﾠ His interest drove him to ask his parents for more money, and he purchased a ticket for every show on the schedule. ﾓAnd really all that I was concerned about, it really wasnﾒt even the magician, it was that one effect.ﾠ It drove me nuts!ﾔ Shifflett said.
He and his friends pulled their money together and purchased their first magic kit.ﾠ Shifflett made his debut in the school talent show.
Soon after, teenage distractions had Shifflett focusing on other things, and he stopped pursuing the act. Then at the age of 22 he came across a magic book in a bookstore and thought, ﾓIﾒve got to have this.ﾔ.ﾠ He bought the book and studied it from cover to cover.ﾠ His love of magic was rekindled.
Now, in his 40s Shifflett performs magic shows for small audiences almost every other weekend in the upstairs parlour of his home in Marlinton.ﾠ He practices for hours to prepare for the shows, which consist of mental tricks, slight of hand, card tricks and the like.ﾠ The Parlour is just one of the businesses that he and his wife, Kelly, run.
Shifflett and Kelly moved back to his hometown, Marlinton, in 2000 after Kelly finished photography school and opened Picket Fence Photos on Main Street.ﾠ At the time it was the only photography studio the town had seen since the 1970s. The Shifflets arenﾒt the only photographers in town anymore, but they think having some competition can only make their business better.ﾠ Of course, they have since branched out, so that photography is only one of the services they offer to Marlinton residents.
In 2005 the studio moved to the front room of their restored 110-year-old home on Tenth Avenue, which came equipped with a picket fence.ﾠ Two years later they purchased an adjacent home as a place to expand their interests.ﾠ The home now holds the Magic Parlour, a fine art gallery featuring Kellyﾒs work and a gift shop.ﾠ The Shiffletts would eventually like to see the studio move here as well, along with the creation of their dream Bed and Breakfast.
The Magic Parlour is designed to serve as an intimate space where neighbors and friends can gather to enjoy a weekend show.ﾠ The bistro style tables and candlelight provide a mysterious setting while still keeping the onlooker connected to the performer.ﾠ The Parlour seats about 12 but Shifflett has been known to also perform at the local opera house.
He and Kelly will both tell you that they wear many hats.ﾠ ﾓWe definitely possess an entrepreneurial spirit,ﾔ Kelly says, ﾓWe are certainly not afraid to get out there and try things.ﾔ Eventually they would like to see the Magic Parlour doing three or four shows a weekend.ﾠ Shifflett plans on switching the shows every couple of weeks or more often if the demand exists.
The last show he performs is always his favorite ﾖﾠ He admits that the applause, whether from five people or 400 people is a high that canﾒt be replicated.ﾠ
ﾓWhether itﾒs a 10-year-old kid or a 40-year-old-man, the moment that you do something, and their mind canﾒt comprehend itﾅ You can see their mind racing.ﾠ Thatﾒs one of the things that inspires me.ﾔ ?