If you haven’t already heard, the Harry Potter Flagship Store in New York has officially opened as of June 3. New images of the interior have been released and you won’t believe your eyes! Let me just say I absolutely can’t wait until I get to visit this store in person. It is beyond anything I ever imagined and looks so full of magic J.K. Rowling herself should be beyond proud with seeing everything from her imagination come to life!
This three-storey retail experience houses the largest collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products under one roof. The store features 15 different themed areas, exclusive products and interactive elements, all celebrating different facets of the wizarding world. From photo opportunities to upcoming virtual reality experiences, here’s just a peek at what you can expect for when you get a chance to visit this amazing store.
The Wizarding World website states:
Upon entering Harry Potter New York, visitors will be greeted with a huge, floating model of Fawkes the phoenix, created especially for this new store. Created by a team of specialist propmakers over a number of months, Fawkes weighs over 100kg and is just one of several meticulously detailed homages you can expect to see. In fact, the shop will be home to hundreds of Wizarding World props, with some authentic items featured in the films on display.
When you plan your trip to this store you will want to make sure you have plenty of time because the store is filled with photo-worthy spots! There is a Ministry of Magic London-style phone box and an extremely immersive setting where you get to pose inside one of Hagrid’s boots!
Just look at all those books! I’m totally channeling my inner Hermoine Granger and can’t wait for the opportunity to be surrounded by magical books galore!
Are you a Slytherin fan? You’ll have to check out the amazing Basilik snake coming out of the wall in the Slytherin themed section of the store! It looks like here you will be able to find Death Eater masks, shirts featuring popular Knockturn Alley shops and Azkaban on them.
Coming soon there will also be two sensory VR adventures, the first called Chaos at Hogwarts, which invites customers to step inside the beloved castle. The second is called Wizards Take Flight, where fans will be gifted with the feeling of flying on a broom across the skies of London. These two experiences are expected to open later this summer!
Speaking of wands, the store has its very own Wand Shop which is host to over 50 wands, inspired by the characters, locations and props within the Wizarding World! We watched Harry test out wands at Ollivanders, and now guests will have the chance to try out their own wands at at an interactive wand table. So wicked! Be sure to check out wands you won’t have seen anywhere else – such as the Golden Snitch Wand, especially created for Harry Potter New York!
The Wizarding World website also states that the interactivity doesn’t end there:
Members of our very own Harry Potter Fan Club who have our official app will be able to unlock extra surprises as they explore. Simply look out for our Enchanted Keys, which can be scanned in your app to bring up extra details about the store and your surroundings and learn a few behind-the-scenes snippets alongside your shopping experience. These keys have been precariously placed around the store – so keep a watchful eye.
Last but definitely not least, don’t forget this store has a Butterbeer Bar! Here you can enjoy a frothy cup of Butterbeer served in a souvenir tankard, a scoop of refreshing Butterbeer ice cream, or freshly-poured bottled Butterbeer — all alongside a range of other Wizarding World-inspired treats.
How excited are you to visit the new Harry Potter New York Store?!
