'Day The Music Died': Former Magic's Pub Razed By Wrecking Ball

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — "The day the music died."

Hearts were heavy on Westhampton Beach's Main Street Monday as the building where the iconic Magic's Pub and the Artful Dodger were long sited was razed, reduced to a pile of rubble and memories.

"The day the music died," wrote Andrew Sheahan on Facebook. "Magic's Pub and the Artful Dodger. This one hurts."

(Video by Elyse Richman)

Fans of Magic's turned to social media to sharing recall memories made with longtime Magic's Pub owner Billy Thorne, and mourn the loss of the building — as well as the legendary burgers that had regular folks and stars, including actress Susan Lucci, lining up for the fare and fun within its four walls.

"So sad," wrote one.

"Best place all through the years," another wrote. "Time for new."

(Video by Elyse Richman)

And new there will be: Once a new building is constructed, the structure is reportedly slated to house a restaurant downstairs and apartments above.

Magic's was in 2010 closed after its last owner, Donald MacPherson, was arrested, charged and sentenced for his role in a mortgage fraud case, according to 27east.com.

A post on Facebook in 2010 by Magic' Pub and The Artful Dodger said the New York State Liquor Authority "with very little notice," denied the business' liquor license renewal. A post by 27east.com also said that the SLA's denial was related to MacPherson's arrest.

The building that came down this week also housed the popular women's clothing store Shock.

"This is the perfect time for that building to come down and be rebuilt," Shock owner Elyse Richman told Patch this week. "Everyone seems to have many memories of Magic’s and those times they spent there. But Magic’s closed almost 10 years ago already."

Richman said she will be taking a break and finding a new location for the shop while Westhampton Beach undergoes a massive $11 million reconstruction and renovation project that has left Main Street currently torn up. However, she assured, the Shock Baby Store will be open for business Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Shock Ice Cream will be open Saturdays and Sundays.

"It's the end of an era and starting something new," Richman said, who added that the new structure would be a beautiful building. Richman left her Shock sign to go down with the old building and said she will start fresh in her new location.

The Shock women's store, she said, "will be back better than ever."

(Lisa Finn)

As for Magic's, those who loved the business are left with the music echoing in their minds and hearts, holding on to a piece of Westhampton Beach history that will live on forever in memories.