Spooky season is just around the corner, and with that comes a yearly event celebrating the release of Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock (as Sally Owens) and Nicole Kidman (as Gillian Owens). The seasonal affair is held each fall in the waterfront village of Coupeville, Washington, where Warner Bros. filmed the cult classic in the late '90s. Fans flock to Whidbey Island to re-create their favorite scenes and experience the filming locations for themselves each year, but this fall calls for something extraordinary.
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Inspired by the novel of the same title by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic's 1998 release makes this year its 25th anniversary. While the residents of Coupeville traditionally go all out for Halloween, the upcoming events honoring the Owens sisters will surely be unforgettable. Based on last year's lineup, visitors throughout October will have plenty to do, including a pumpkin race, art show, parade, pumpkin carving and plenty of haunted attractions.
If you can't get there this fall, don't worry! No matter what time of year you visit Coupeville, you can take a Practical Magic walking tour highlighting some of the movie's most recognizable settings. So, fans, before you start your trip, make sure to add these iconic filming locations to your itinerary.
Molka Xete Mexican Kitchen
Located on Front Street near the corner of Main Street, the building that now houses Molka Xete Mexican Kitchen served as Sally's Verbena Botanicals. The boutique shop run by Bullock's character is featured throughout the movie, with shots of both the interior and exterior in the final cut. Like most storefronts along Front Street, movie creators painted the building white and returned it to its original color after the movie wrapped.
During filming, the location was still the Sedge Building, which later became Little Red Hen Bakery. Several months ago, the bakery moved to another location in Coupeville, allowing Molka Xete Mexican Kitchen to take over the historical structure in late March.
Toby's Tavern
Next door to Molka Xete Mexican Kitchen, fans love to stop by Toby's Tavern. Filmmakers installed a two-story fake storefront to disguise the bar as the Catch and Fry, which is in the background of several movie shots. While it may not have served much purpose in the film, it's still a must-see for Practical Magic fans.
According to the bar's owner, John Rodriguey, Toby's Tavern became a popular hangout for the cast during filming. In a 2018 interview with KING 5 Seattle, Rodriguey shared a memorable story about his interaction with Bullock.
"Sandra Bullock came in, just trying to stay out of the way, I think, and she wondered if she could play a game of pool," the tavern owner recalled. "So, we had a friendly game of pool. She said, 'Call me Sandy,'" he said, chuckling.
The White Picket Fence
While walking from Molka Xete to Toby's Tavern, you may notice a white picket fence along Front Street. Filmmakers built the structure for the movie, and it still stands today. It's featured several times in the film during scenes shot in town.
Penn Cove Gallery
One of the more memorable set locations in Practical Magic is the farmers market, as it adds a certain charm to the town. They filmed these scenes in an empty lot on Front Street at the corner of Grace, where the Penn Cove Gallery now sits. The city's chamber of commerce proudly boasts that the stands featured produce from local farms and seafood donated by Penn Cove Shellfish.
While movie fans won't find a market in this spot visiting Coupeville, the gallery offers an incredible selection of work by emerging and professional artists. There are also plenty of events to check out in the area, including regular festivals and farmers markets.
A Touch of Dutch
In addition to walking in the footsteps of the film's stars, those who visit Coupeville can see some of the set pieces that got left behind. One of these items is the A Touch of Dutch storefront. Created initially as a facade for The Speckled Hen Grocery and placed in front of the post office during filming, it now serves as the front of the gift shop on Front Street.
Kapaws Iskreme
Another Practical Magic prop that remains in Coupeville hangs outside Kapaws Iskreme. Filmmakers created the hanging ice cream sign over their walk-up window for the movie, and it remains there today. It can be seen briefly in the background toward the end of the film.
Town Park Trail
Twice in the movie, Bullock takes a trail that appears to connect the Owens' home and the stores along Front Street. In reality, the actress used a trail in Coupeville Town Park, just a few minutes walk from any of the other filming locations.
You can re-create the scene by using the trail that leads into the park. However, several new constructions make the area look slightly different from in the '90s. The trail now passes by new condos in the area and the Island County Museum.
Other 'Practical Magic' Filming Locations
Some other filming locations that had brief appearances in the background include McPherson & McPherson PLLP Attorneys at Law, Aqua Gifts, Seaside Spa, Sea Bre's Yarn, Madrona Blossom, Elkhorn Trading Company, Kingfisher Books, Briggs Shore Ceramics, Jan McGregor Studio, Vail Wine Shop, and the historic Coupeville Wharf. Aside from the exterior color, most of these buildings still look the way they did in the '90s.
The Laughing Admiral is also in the film but is unrecognizable these days. Once the John Robertson's Store, the building underwent extensive remodeling that may make it difficult to identify while watching Practical Magic.
Where Is the Owens' House?
Fans who visit Coupeville often ask locals where they can find the house featured in the film. The massive Victorian mansion where the Owens sisters lived with their aunts featured a gorgeous wrap-around porch and rectangular turret room, making it a sight to behold in the movie. Unfortunately, the house no longer exists.
According to Giggster, filmmakers built the structure on San Juan Island, Washington, specifically for the film. They filmed all exterior scenes on this set, but a studio in Los Angeles served as the house interior. After the empty shell filled its purpose, they tore it down.
While this may be devastating to some fans, Coupeville still has plenty of bewitching energy for Practical Magic fanatics to enjoy!
