Marion Lodwick brought her Abracadabra store to life more than 35 years ago, and now, she’s looking to sell it to a new owner. She’s willing to wait, to ensure it continues on in the spirit she intended.

Lodwick’s vision with Abracadabra, as stated on its Coldwell Banker Best Homes listing, was to create “a bright, colorful, rich environment, brimming with abundant treasures to be discovered.”

Abracadabra is located at 936 Water St., in what’s referred to as the “golden block” of the business district in downtown Port Townsend.

Lodwick bought the building 20 years ago, and expanded the business 10 years ago, all while maintaining the space as a whimsical shopping stop for kids of all ages, complete with books, games, toys and other assorted tchotchkes.

“We serve a wide range of demographics,” Lodwick said. “Babies, teens, those in between, even young married couples and grown-up moms. We have educational games and puzzles, even ones with bigger pieces for members of our senior community. We also stock jewelry, crafts and art supplies, but we try to stay as affordable as possible.”

Kristina Jennings, one of the Coldwell Banker agents who’s listed the property, noted that her husband has bought distinctive stickers there, while Lodwick herself takes pride in stocking locally produced merchandise, from cards and stationary to eye-catching enamel pins.

“It’s got something for absolutely everybody,” said Holley Carlson, the real estate broker at Coldwell Banker who’s listed the property. “Whether you need a birthday gift, a beautiful scarf, or something fun and silly as a stocking stuffer for the holidays, they’ve got you covered.”

Lodwick touted Abracadabra’s “hometown feel.” She credited the store’s staff with making the place feel “wonderful and welcoming,” and the “sweet” historic building.” She asserted that it has been well cared-for, and improved in 2020 with the replacement of siding at 936 Water St. by G. Little Construction.

In addition to amenities including large window displays, and handmade wood countertops, the latter crafted by Lodwick’s husband, Carlson noted the property includes an office off the back, storage for inventory and four apartments upstairs, all currently occupied, with private parking.

We recently had a tenant who’d stayed with us for more than a dozen years,” Lodwick said. “We have two tenants now who have been there about five years, and another who’s been there a couple of years. The apartments are ideally located for accessing downtown for community events.”

Carlson elaborated that the Coldwell Banker listing is for both the Abracadabra retail store, which generates more than $700,000 in sales per year, and the building itself, which generates an additional $90,000 in rental income per year. It is listed for $1.87 million. 

“Even as I approach my 70s, it’s still hard to think about letting this place go,” Lodwick said. “But I want to see its legacy continue, with someone who can bring a new energy and their own flavor to it, while keeping it a vital part of this community.”

Lodwick expects the hunt for a new owner might take a few years, and she hopes the new boss will be as willing as she’s been to accept input from the store’s employees, since Lodwick said she’s “never been afraid to hire people with more experience” than she possesses.

“We attract a number of artistically inclined people to come work here, so I believe in giving my staff creative license,” Lodwick said. “And because of the number of loyal customers we’ve had, I’ve been able to watch some of them grow up.”