Preceded by Ken Horsman's magic shop for 25 years, Illusions opened as a bar with a liquor license in 2007 and has hosted two events in which Spencer Horsman attempted to escape -- 50 feet in the air -- from two straight jackets while being hung upside down.
Patrons worry about the future of the business if the neighborhood association wins. They don't want a magic show turned into yet-another venue for $1 beers.
"There's so much craziness going on at some bars," says Federal Hill resident Frank Choi, 35. "There are other problems that plague the neighborhood. The association should use its time trying to resolve those issues rather than worrying about whether one small place has an entertainment license."
Federal Hill resident and Illusions customer Julia Rosenstock, 32, says she's "very upset" with the situation.
"Illusions is so unique and such an experience," says Rosenstock. "That's the kind of thing that Baltimore should be about. Why would we shut that down? So we can get a T.G.I. Friday's to move in there?"
Ultimately, a judge will get the final say, Robinson says.
"They'll get to make their case and we'll get to make ours," he says. "Somebody will win and then we'll move on."
Luke Broadwater is managing editor at b. Contact him at luke@bthesite.com or follow him on Twitter, @lukebroadwater.
