Shop a Real-Life Diagon Alley at These “Harry Potter” Stores

Watching the first shot of Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was a magical moment for all of us. We’ve always secretly wanted to shop at Flourish and Blotts and Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, but a trip to Universal Studios to visit the shops there isn’t always possible. That’s when we turn to stores run by the most passionate Potter fans that carry all our wizarding needs.

Oliver Dall owns and operates Oliver’s, Brighton’s best Harry Potter shop. Located on Trafalgar Street, Oliver’s carries all the wizarding artifacts you could possibly want, from Gryffindor’s sword to Harry’s Firebolt. He even carries 70 different replica wands for every character in the series. Dall’s passion is bringing the spirit of the beloved franchise into the lives of his customers in a truly magical way:

It’s the escapism. It’s another world, so magical that anything can happen. A large percentage of our customers have autism, and many have had challenging lives. It’s the fantasy, the pure magic of it, the warmth and comfort of having grown up with these characters. They’re amazing role models. Look at Harry: he goes from living in a cupboard under the stairs to riding on the back of a hippogriff. He goes from having a terrible life to a magical adventure. And there’s no way people can forget it. It’s always in the news, what with Cursed Child, the studios, and Fantastic Beasts.

In Boston, the Fairy Shop reigns supreme as the greatest magic shop in town. Michael Selletto runs this tiny store on Newbury Street, which carries everything from plush Hedwigs to Chocolate Frogs by the barrel. The store is jam-packed with magic for all ages, and it’s definitely a must-see for anyone’s visit to New England.

For Canadian fans, Curiosa is the place to get your Potter fix. The self-proclaimed “purveyors of extraordinary things” stock their shelves with MinaLima posters, magical candy, and House-specific goods. If you’re ever in Toronto, be sure to stop by for a Bowtruckle pin and a pair of Spectrespecs.

With the holiday season approaching, we’re all looking for magical stocking stuffers. Online shopping is fun, but sometimes we’d rather support these smaller business owners as they bring Diagon Alley into the Muggle world.