Since the first book came out in 1997, people all over the world have been obsessed with Harry Potter. Even J.K. Rowling herself couldn’t have been able to predict the success of the fantasy novels. But apparently, the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are quite literally enchanting. A whole generation of kids got to grow up simultaneously with the wizard and even nowadays, the books seem to be selling themselves.
Since that first publication, a lot has happened. Firstly, the series got completed with six others. They were translated into no less than eighty languages and are, as of 2018, the best-selling book series in history with over 500 million copies having sold worldwide. Secondly, the books were turned into movies. And even though not everyone appreciates the adaptation, one thing’s for sure, these too were a success. After that, there were plays, merchandise, spin-offs, exhibitions…The whole Harry Potter-franchise was estimated to be worth 25 billion dollars in 2016, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
Yet despite its commerciality, Harry Potter still gets to us. Maybe it’s out of some kind of nostalgia because we read the books when we were young, maybe it’s because magic, even in 2021, remains something we can’t comprehend and therefore speaks to our imagination. Maybe it’s because, especially in 2021, we’re in dire need of some distraction, maybe we’re just following the popular opinion. Whatever the reason, 24 years after the first book was published, the whole wizardry story and the universe surrounding it keeps holding our attention.
Experience the ✨magic ✨of #HarryPotterNY as we open our doors on June 3rd. ⬇️ (thread) pic.twitter.com/TzDJ6VqywX
— Harry Potter Store New York (@HarryPotterNY) April 22, 2021
Floating Butterbeer
This isn’t exactly a secret and so commercial Harry Potter-themed initiatives keep popping up every now and then. Yet now, for the first time in history, an official Harry Potter flagship store will be opening its doors to the public. And it promises to be a big hit. Located in New York’s Flatiron District, the store will have three floors, covering a whopping 1950 square meters. Fans will be able to buy every possible piece of merchandise from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series but, first and foremost, they can visit the Butterbeer bar. Yes, you read that right. As from June 3, you’ll be able to walk into a bar serving exclusively Butterbeer (which is non-alcoholic, by the way). The bar promises to be a sight on its own, as 1 000 bottles of the beverage will be magically ‘floating’ over the ceiling. And of course, you can also buy a bottle to add to your collection of Harry Potter memorabilia.
It’s official, #HarryPotterNY will be home to New York’s only Butterbeer Bar! Take your pick from a frothy cup of draft Butterbeer, a refreshing Butterbeer ice cream, or freshly poured bottled Butterbeer, opening June 3rd! pic.twitter.com/qkXc1U8zrk
— Harry Potter Store New York (@HarryPotterNY) May 12, 2021
