Another "Harry Potter" inspired store expands its business among a huge hub of independent local businesses in the ultra-indie emporium.
New store 'The Spell Counter' offers official Harry Potter merchandise and bespoke gifts, as it expanded space within Sale's Emporium M33 this week after receiving bewitching excitement from locals.
Spell-binding curiosities vary from stuffed Hedwig's and Niffler's, chocolate frogs, magical beans, crafted wands, 3D puzzles, pop-up books, and other wizardly world stuff. From a range of magical gifts and supplies, the Spell Counter offers a wide range of other-worldly novelties.
The hugely popular books and films that prompted the new witch and wizarding shop were opened by Sarah Rossin and her daughter Olivia, who wanted to share their love for the fantasy fictional universe.
Sarah said: "Harry Potter holds a sense of novelty for most people including myself and my family, and we wanted to provide that excitement and charm by giving people in Manchester a magical place to visit.
"We took a small space in here, only a shelf wall, but it was going really well so I'd given up my job working for a construction company after eight years to pursue taking on a bigger space.
"I'm working full-time now and it's brilliant being part of something that I love, where all your customers want to talk about the fantasy franchise.
"I don't really know of any places within Manchester that sell a lot of the merchandise, so we've tried to provide some classics alongside other products we haven't really seen before."
The three-storey 'community store' that's drawn comparisons to Northern Quarter's 'Afflecks Palace' has over 45 small and quirky independent traders situated in the heart of Sale.
Due to the current economic climate, opening in a traditional retail unit just isn't feasible for a lot of independent businesses, but Emporium M33 provides support for many different traders all under one roof.
Inside the building just 25 yards from School Road, shoppers can get hold of cakes, fashion items, accessories, books, plants, antiques, art, crystals and more.
The emporium nurtures new start-up businesses to huge stores pushed out from high streets due to the struggling economic climate, offering a diverse range of traders to share space and customers.
Owner Scott Lyon's who oversees the building said: "We were closed down for eight months over the pandemic, and because of that internet companies have grown exponentially at the expense of the small independent trader. People's shopping habits have changed and we have got to stand against that.
"So it's a great thing when I'm able to welcome new small business traders and to see them do well so quickly. We have tons of space filled with many various businesses, whether that's taking a shelf or a whole space like The Spell Counter."
Alongside the many shops holds services too from a tattoo parlour, travel agents, hairdressing salons, photography studio, florists, and "Vintage Tearoom" serving hot and cold food and drinks.
Sarah added: "It's just like a big family here, and it's been the perfect place to start up our new 'Harry Potter' inspired shop. We hope to continue expanding and continue offering people new and thrilling wizardly themed goods."
The new and 'magical' shop is a short distance from the main hub of shops and restaurants in Sale, open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm offering an extensive range of Harry Potter gifts for the excitable witch or wizard.
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