Warner
Bros. will open the world’s first-ever Harry Potter flagship
store in New York City in August 2020.
The
upcoming store, to be located next to the Flatiron Building at 935 Broadway,
will house the largest collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic
Beasts products, from Hogwarts House robes to Chocolate Frogs
and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. Visitors will be able to explore a 2,000-square-meter store and three floors full of Wizarding World merchandise.
The
store will offer an all-new range of Hogwarts House wands, designed
exclusively for the New York store. More details are to yet to be announced, but the store will also feature a sidewalk cafe, food and beverages in-store and a service window on Broadway.
As a landmarked building, plans for the
storefront and changes to the building exterior (including a “fiberglass
dragon,” a “clock” and “six flagpoles, designed to look like wands”) must be
approved by a community board meeting. A vote from the full Manhattan’s
Community Board 5 Committee will take place this month.
Layla Law-Gisiko, chair
of the committee, is against the storefront exterior design. "In my opinion, flagpoles are a big no-no. If Harry Potter can put a
dragon, then Nike can put a shoe, then the bakery down the block could put a
croissant, and then where do you stop?. Anyway, the whole committee will vote and decide".
Sarah
Roots, SVP worldwide tours and retail, Warner Bros. said in a press release:
"This will be the largest
dedicated Harry Potter store in the world and will become a
must-visit fan destination where Harry Potter enthusiasts can engage
with interactive experiences and numerous photo opportunities as they step into
the magic."
"We
are very excited to be opening in New York. It's the ideal city in which
to launch with so many dedicated Wizarding World fans, a cutting-edge retail
environment and a community that loves innovative experiences."
 |
| WARNER BROS. |
From Forbes (edited)
