Chicago’s “Harry Potter Shop” celebrates a year of magic along the Magnificent Mile

On April 10, 2025, the Harry Potter Shop in Chicago opened its doors to an adoring crowd of fans. 

One year after that grand opening, the store is still showcasing its special brand of magic to lines circling around the corner as it celebrates the first anniversary in the Windy City. 

To commemorate the birthday, the Harry Potter Shop is bringing to life a number of original offerings, exclusive merchandise, and new experiences that are sure to have new and old fans alike excited.

Throughout the spring, visitors will be able to engage in a special Dragon Egg scavenger hunt, a press release by the organization states. Guests can grab a map and scour the shop in search of hidden dragon eggs, with those completing the quest receiving a special Harry Potter prize.

Another seasonal debut running through the spring is a new mouth-watering pumpkin juice, which features in the books and movies as a popular wizardly refreshment. Served in a limited-edition reusable cup, the pumpkin juice is a sweet drink served on ice featuring apple juice blended with pumpkin puree, peach nectar, and vanilla extract, according to the press release.

Lastly, the store is rolling out a brand new permanent “Sorting Hat” experience. For a small fee, guests can put on the famous Sorting Hat as it deliberates and decides which Hogwarts House they belong to. Mic’d-in voiceovers mimic the hat's voice, making it feel like every fan's first day at the school of witchcraft and wizardry.

As always, the store features an eclectic lineup of Harry Potter merchandise, including custom wands, peppermint toads, Quidditch jerseys, and, of course, everyone's favorite: butterbeer. According to the announcement, guests can even try the famed “Bertie Bott’s” jelly beans with flavors ranging from blueberry to earthworm and earwax.

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Director of U.S. operations for the Harry Potter experience, Jack Threlfall, was on site for the anniversary and said, “The success of the store is in large part due to the transcendence the Harry Potter stories have had from generation to generation. Even today's younger children who did not grow up with the books and movies are still engaging and creating deep connections with the series.”

The Chicago location, at the time of opening, was the third store under the Harry Potter Shop umbrella after flagship sites in New York and London, the press release confirmed. However, the success of the Chicago store has seen new expansion globally, with locations debuting in Japan last year.

The flagship New York store will be celebrating its 5-year anniversary this summer, with Threlfall saying there will be special celebrations and offerings to commemorate that major milestone as well.

Located at 676 North Michigan Avenue, the Harry Potter Shop offers a little something for everyone, whether guests are avid enthusiasts or new to the Wizarding World. For further information on the anniversary celebrations and more, check out the store's website at harrypottershop.com.