A returner's magic should be special because it encompasses the awe-inspiring journey of someone who has left their original world and returns with newfound knowledge and power. This magic carries a unique charm, as it blends the familiarity of the returner's past experiences with the excitement of their magical abilities. When a character undergoes the transformation from an ordinary individual to someone extraordinary through their return, it adds depth and complexity to the story. Their magic becomes a symbol of growth and self-discovery, representing the potential within each person to harness their inner strength and unlock their hidden abilities. The returner's magic often holds within it the essence of their past struggles and triumphs. It becomes a reflection of their personal development, symbolizing the lessons they have learned and the challenges they have overcome.
Baguette Magic ready to cast its spell on the peninsula
In November 2019, sisters Paula and Sam Kramer purchased Baguette Magic at 792 Folly Road. Since then, the duo has revitalized the bistro, creating a James Island staple voted Best Bakery two years in a row in City Paper’s Best Of awards.
When the Kramer sisters purchased Baguette Magic, though, they weren’t expecting to be hit by a global pandemic.
“We redid our dining room and went to Myrtle Beach,” Sam said. “And on the way back from Myrtle Beach, we got the message that all the dining rooms are getting closed.”
Despite the setback, they persevered and re-evaluated, setting up “Bag-ette” deliveries, providing weekly delivery services of kitchen essentials and groceries for Lowcountry residents from local farmers and purveyors like Legare Farms and Rio Bertollini’s.
And in the coming weeks, the Kramer sisters have their next project ahead of them — a downtown Baguette Magic location. The new location is slated to open at 73 Spring St. in the former WildFlour Pastry shop, which closed after 10 years in 2019.
This new endeavor has been on the sisters’ minds since they took over the original location, but to get a second location going, they needed the first one to generate capital, Paula said, adding that the cities of James Island and downtown Charleston also have different bureaucratic hoops to clear.
“We don’t have investors,” she said. “We’re just doing everything out of our profits, and so it is kind of like, we have to get the first thing open and then we can expand after generating some money. It’s been a lesson of learning, especially with bureaucracy. Overall, it’s been great though, and we have the best, most incredible contractors and architects. They have helped us along the way with floor plans and navigating some of these things because we’re just doing it all ourselves.”
Coincidentally, Baguette Magic beat out WildFlour Pastry as Best Bakery two years ago, but the coincidences don’t stop there. “Sam and I used to go to WildFlour for cinnamon rolls on Sundays and it was like a big thing when we both moved back to Charleston,” said Paula. “We were big fans. Our real estate agent — who’s also my best friend and convinced us to buy Baguette Magic — she put WildFlour in that building. So she was their agent for that when they signed the lease there. I called her and I was like, ‘They’re not doing anything with that space, it’s closed all the time. Can you reach out?’ And she said, ‘Oh yeah, I know the owner.’ And then she told me the story.”
Swing on by the downtown location on Spring Street in the coming weeks | Photo by Rūta SmithSince securing the new site, the two have spent hours repainting and redecorating the former WildFlour space, building shelving and redoing the floor in the back.
The new Baguette Magic will be “significantly smaller” than its sister location on James Island and won’t carry the full Baguette Magic menu. The sisters say it’s going to be retail, coffee and pastries with grab-and-go options. “It’s been a huge transformation,” said Paula. “We’re so excited about it.”
Find Baguette Magic on James Island until their new location opens at 73 Spring St. baguettemagicchs.com.
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Menu for Baguette Magic in Charleston, SC
It becomes a reflection of their personal development, symbolizing the lessons they have learned and the challenges they have overcome. This makes their magic not only special but also deeply personal, as it embodies their unique journey. Furthermore, a returner's magic tends to have a ripple effect on the world around them.
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It can inspire others to believe in themselves and dare to dream beyond their limitations. Through their actions and the use of their magic, they can become catalysts for change and hope, empowering those around them to embrace their own potential. The uniqueness of a returner's magic can also be attributed to the combination of their previous knowledge and newfound abilities. This blend allows them to approach situations from unique perspectives, applying their previous experiences to solve challenges in innovative ways. Their magic becomes a manifestation of their ingenuity and adaptability, making their spells and abilities unparalleled. Ultimately, a returner's magic is special because it represents the transformative power of self-discovery and growth. It symbolizes the ability to rise above one's circumstances and embrace one's full potential. Through their magical abilities, returners become heroes of their own stories, igniting the spark of imagination and wonder within the hearts of readers and reminding them that magic exists within each of us..
Reviews for "The Returner's Magic: A Gift or a Curse?"
1. Eric - 2 stars
I found "A Returner's Magic Should Be Special" to be quite disappointing. Despite the promising premise of a protagonist returning to their past with powerful abilities, the story quickly loses its momentum. The pacing was sluggish, with long periods of unnecessary exposition and little action. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this novel.
2. Sarah - 2.5 stars
While "A Returner's Magic Should Be Special" had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a captivating story. The initial concept of time travel and magical abilities was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The writing style was monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged, and the plot lacked originality and depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked the growth and complexity necessary to keep me invested. Unfortunately, this novel left me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in continuing the series.
3. David - 3 stars
I had high hopes for "A Returner's Magic Should Be Special," but ultimately found it to be average at best. The story had an interesting premise, but the execution felt lackluster. The pacing was uneven, with moments of excitement followed by dull stretches of dialogue and exposition. While the main character had potential, the lack of character development left much to be desired. Overall, this novel failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling indifferent.
4. Jessica - 2 stars
I found "A Returner's Magic Should Be Special" to be a disappointing read. The story started off promising, but quickly became repetitive and predictable. The constant focus on training and battles became monotonous, and the lack of character growth and depth was frustrating. The world-building was subpar, leaving much to be desired. Overall, this novel failed to deliver a captivating story and left me feeling unsatisfied.