'boss' liverpool shop where scouse kids would 'get up to mischief'

SO MUCH POCKET MONEY WAS SPENT THERE 16:31, 20 May 2025 A "boss shop" where generations of Scouse kids would "get up to mischief" has not been forgotten by those who once

spent hours there. If you grew up in Liverpool, you may remember heading to the famous joke shop the Wizards Den in Liverpool city centre. Loved by children and adults alike, the shop first

opened in 1900 at the Dale Street end of Moorfields and later moved to the Lord Street arcade. Returning to Moorfields in 1924, the Wizards Den for decades sold everything from stink bombs

to itching powder, laughing bags, and exploding cigarettes - that likely wouldn't pass a health and safety check today. Often referred to as a "centre of mischief," it was a

place where parents took their delighted kids to spend their pocket money, or adults and comedians would get something for their latest prank, the Liverpool ECHO previously reported. In the

latter years of its life, it moved and was known as The Ace Place on Dale Street. READ MORE: Unseen photos of 'defining moment in music' to go on display in LiverpoolREAD MORE:

Join the Liverpool Echo's memories and history WhatsApp community On our website, ECHO readers previously shared stories of how they got up to mischief inside and after visiting the

Wizards Den. On our website, Tony8297 said: "As kids ,we used to get the bus to town spend time in the museum and then an hour or so in the Wizards Den." OVERMAN said: "Boss

shop. They had a 2.6p coin glued to the counter. As kids, we would do our best to praise it off to no avail." Crimboeve said: "Spent many a Saturday in there as a kid."

Hobgoblin said: "First place we would head for when going to town. "We then spent the rest of the day dropping stink bombs in Lewis's lifts or upstairs on the bus home. Great

place, pity it isn't still going." Doodaa said: "Wow, brought back some funny moments there when we used to go there on a Saturday and let off the stink bombs off in St

John's - sorry." Kazakstan said: "Used to spend ages just looking in the window even if you didn't go in!" Panther 324 said: "What a shop it was

brilliant." Inthejigger said: "Remember it well - particularly the things that you stuck in ciggies that either fizzed and banged or emitted a most noxious smell when smoked. READ

MORE: 'Little corner of Italy' tucked away in city centre basement that was 'packed every lunchtime'READ MORE: Lost chippy delicacies from childhood that you

'don't see' in Liverpool anymore "I also remember getting a hiding off me mam for coating my little brother in itching powder. Just imagine the fuss today from the health

and safety brigade!" Janet said: "My dad used to go there in the 50s." And Whatsappenin said: "The Ace Place - I remember buying fake dog doo from there, putting it all

in the living room and me ma nearly went to kill the dog." Back in the 90s, radio presenters Billy Butler and the late Wally Scott used to look back at Liverpool's past every

Saturday for their column, Billy and Wally’s Mersey Memories. In 1996, they shared their memories of heading to the Wizards Den weekly. On June 1, 1996, Wally said: "I used to spend

hours in the Wizards Den and I always remember there was a little fella in there who used to serve behind the counter. "He used to look like a wizard. "He was there for years. I

don't know his name but I'm sure some of the readers will remember him. And the place was like an Aladdin's cave." He added: "I think the fella in the Wizards Den

must have regretted selling stink bombs. We all used to buy them, then let them off in his show. READ MORE: I've been coming here for over 20 years but one thing hasn't changedREAD

MORE: Lost pub near Liverpool bus station that you'd go to before clubbing "Either he became immune to the smell of them or they must have driven him up the wall. Another thing I

bought there was a false cigarette. You used to walk round with this ciggie in your mouth thinking you looked brilliant." Wally also reminisced about the time he bought cigarette

bangers from the shop. He said: "Me mam always smoked five Woodies and I put a banger in one of them - it was the biggest mistake I ever made." The Wizards Den was also a popular

spot for many popular comedians from the city. Back in 2004, ahead of the launch of Smiffy's Serious Fun, a number of them shared their memories with the Liverpool ECHO. At the time,

comedian Micky Finn said the Wizards Den was one of his all-time favourite places to visit. He said: "I just loved looking around and browsing—there was always something new and daft in

store. "I would go out with my mates, and we would buy plastic noses on elastic and sit in the pub wearing them. I used to spend a lot of money in joke shops – in fact, I still

do." The late Ken Dodd also said the Wizards Den had a special place in his own memories. He told the ECHO: "Oh, yes, there is a page in my memory book dedicated to that great

place. "I used to visit my friend there, one-time manager Roy Minting who went to work in theatrical costuming. I enjoyed being an eight-year-old school boy comedian looking at rubber

sledge-hammers and goofy teeth. The Wizards Den is part of the fabric of Liverpool." Article continues below Back in 1971, Liverpool City Council bought the famous shop. It wasn't

that the council wanted to go into the joke industry – the actual building was wanted as part of the Moorfields development scheme taking place at the time. At one point in time, the

business became known as The Ace Place on Dale Street. It's now been years since we said goodbye to the Wizards Den - but decades on, it's still remembered fondly by those who went

there.