Naperville’s Magic Rock is saved.
After uncertainty over whether it would survive the sale and demolition of the site it’s called home for the past 15-plus years, the local landmark of sorts has found new accommodations.
The display can now be found at the corner of North Brainard Street and 7th Avenue — just a few doors from its original location at 711 N. Brainard St — in the safe care of the Martin family, who are eager to keep the tradition alive.
“We just love it,” said Cathi Martin, speaking of herself, her husband and their two young kids, who have relished living by the Magic Rock. “We just thought it’d be great to keep it in the neighborhood.”
A testament to “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” the rock — or rather, a few — is a spot where scores of donated toys, knickknacks and trinkets have been glued over time. Together, the collection makes for a pseudo-art display, made by and for the community.
An avid fan of the site since moving in nearby two years ago, Martin began keeping closer tabs on the Magic Rock after learning the house at 711 N. Brainard St. was to be demolished.
Sold for redevelopment last summer, the property is being torn down and and a new house being built in its place. Developer Kevin Strickland, of Kstrick Corp., notified homeowners nearby — including Martin — of his demolition plans in December.
The notice left Martin questioning, what would happen to her family’s favorite local attraction?
Martin expresssed interest in giving it a new home last week, prompting when Sylvia Kanney, Strickland’s real estate agent, to come knocking on her door with an offer that Martin gladly accepted.
In an interview last week, Kanney said Strickland was open to putting the display on a pallet for later use if enough people expressed interest in preserving it.
When she read about Martin’s infatuation with the display in a March 12 Naperville Sun article, they realized they might already have their answer, Kanney said.
“(Cathi) was gracious enough and excited enough to want it,” she said.
The Magic Rock made its official debut in Martin’s front yard Tuesday morning. Piece by piece, a pair of contractors moved the display.
“My kids love going to see it, the neighborhood kids love seeing it, my husband and I are big fans,” Martin said. “Just being a part of this community and fostering relationships with people … we figured that if someone did the hard work of moving it over, we had to accept it and give it a new home.”
Strickland, who oversaw the transfer, said, “If it’s a staple of the neighborhood, we’re willing to do what it takes to keep it moving forward.”
Keith Richardson, former owner of 711 N. Brainard St. and founder of the Magic Rock, was pleasantly surprised by the news.
“Oh my goodness,” he said in a call Tuesday. “I think that’s great that somebody wants it. It’s saved! The Magic Rock is going to be saved.”
