Oh Really, Riley?

About the Book

For more than seventy years, Riley’s Trick Shop has been a source of fun for generations of families who live on the south side of Chicago. Founded in 1937 by Jim and Eleanor Riley, the shop stocks joy buzzers, whoopee cushions, and fake vomit; they greet their customers like old friends. In Oh Really, Riley?, the owners’ son, Jim Riley, details the true story of his family’s long-time business.

In 1937, the Riley’s dream was simple—to eke out a living during the Great Depression. From before World War II to the dawning of the new millennium, Riley shares how the business managed to survive through dedication, perseverance, pranks, and laughs amid the cornucopia of gags, party items, and costumes. Riley narrates the fascinating story of how one kernel of popcorn somehow expanded into a trick shop that would become the center of a community, serving as a gathering place for amateur magicians and jokesters alike.

In the spirit of the continued success of every small family businesses, Oh Really, Riley? spans seven decades as it shares the compelling story of one man’s dream and how he made it come true.

About the Author

Jim Riley has been associated with Riley’s Trick Shop his entire life. He lives with his wife, Judy, in Homer Glen, Illinois. They have four grown children and nine grandchildren. He is the author of several magazine articles. This is his first book.