Entry No. 1 — the Chicago file — filed under: witchy
Malliway Bros. Magic & Witchcraft
Two brothers with deep working knowledge of European folk magic run this Rogers Park shop, stocking spell oils, incense, herbs, roots and poppets alongside their own line of charms. A back room called the Witches' Conclave hosts hands-on workshops on candle work, potion-brewing and spellcraft. This is a practicing operation, not a kitsch gift shop, and the staff will talk shop in genuine detail.
The story
Brothers Blake and Wycke Malliway didn't set up shop in Rogers Park to sell velvet costumes or novelties. Both spent years studying traditional folk magic—with an emphasis on West Country British traditions—before opening their space in 2019 and moving to 1407 W Morse Avenue in 2021. Wycke focuses his practice on crossroads pacts, local spirits, and herb lore, while Blake works with spirit traditions and runs Crossed Crow Books, an independent publisher of occult titles.
The retail shop stocking floor-to-ceiling jars of roots, spell oils, poppets, Blood Salt, and hand-carved Hag's Wax candles is only half the operation. For visitors seeking targeted work beyond DIY supplies, the shop publishes "Malliway's Black Pages"—a directory of local practitioners hired for specific tasks like house swiftings, curse removal, or custom hearthside charms.
In the back, a dedicated classroom studio called the Witches' Conclave runs hands-on, operative workshops on potion brewing, candle carving, and moon rituals. There is no fake-mystical performance here: ask a staff member how a specific root is dressed or prepped, and you'll get a technical, practical answer grounded in working folk magic.
What it's like
Stepping off Morse Avenue near the Red Line station, you're hit with the smell of dried herbs, resin, and candle wax inside a tight, wood-shelved room. Staff talk shop with zero pretension, whether you're picking up a six-dollar jar of spell powder or asking basic questions about herb pairings. Space inside is tight, and weekend afternoons get crowded quickly—if you want to take a back-room workshop, plan weeks ahead, as classes sell out rapidly ahead of autumn.
The move: Browse the herb and curio shelves together, then sign up for a Witches' Conclave workshop and brew or carve a candle as a pair.
📍 Before you go Workshops in the back-room studio require advance signup and sell out around the autumn/Halloween season.
- 📍 Rogers Park
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1407 W Morse Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Armadillo's Pillow — Walk three blocks east on Morse Avenue to dig through floor-to-ceiling stacks of used occult, history, and spiritual texts.
- Chicago Industrial Arts & Design Center (CIADC) — Head less than a mile south to trade herbal spellcraft for industrial metal forging, welding, and casting inside a converted warehouse.
- Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum — Travel 1.5 miles south to wander 350 acres of Victorian monuments hidden behind William Boyington’s castellated limestone gatehouse.
Good to know
Do I need to be an experienced practitioner to visit or attend a class?
No, beginners and non-practitioners are welcome in both the shop and Witches' Conclave workshops, provided you respect the coven's ground rules against photography and solicitation.
Do workshops require advance registration?
Yes, seating in the back-room studio is strictly limited and workshops routinely sell out, especially during the fall season.
Can I hire a practitioner for custom spellwork or house clearings?
Yes, consult "Malliway's Black Pages" in the shop or online to book local practitioners for custom charms, house swiftings, or curse breaking.
What are the shop's standard operating hours?
Standard hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM (closed Mondays), though hours should always be reconfirmed before visiting.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · blockclubchicago.org · Yelp · meetup.com · crossedcrowbooks.com · loyolaphoenix.com
last checked: 2026-06-23