House of Spells celebrates grand opening at 234 W. 42nd St.

Manhattan, NY Times Square became even more magical with NYC’s first multi-fandom retail destination, House of Spells, officially opening its doors on July 29, in a spellbinding grand opening ceremony at House of Spells first U.S. location at 234 W. 42^nd St. between Seventh and Eighth Ave. The ceremony brought together more than 100 stakeholders from the Broadway, tourism, and hospitality industry along with local officials.

Created in 2016 by visionary founders Khaja Hussain and Rafeeque Olikkathodi, House of Spells is a multi-fandom retail destination and immersive retail experience established in the UK more than a decade ago, combining themed entertainment with officially licensed merchandise from popular fantasy, gaming, anime, and film franchises all under one roof.

Joining for the opening moment was AMAZE star and British illusionist Jamie Allan, who brought the magic after performing his 500^th show, by engaging the audience to help identify the exact moment the fandom universe could finally come together to ‘lift the spell’ and officially open House of Spells.

That moment of magic is just one example of the type of cinematic environments and fan-focused experiences House of Spells will bring to guests, along with its photo-worthy backdrops and one-of-a-kind collectables.

Among the many fandom favorites at House of Spells includes MARVEL (Spiderman, Deadpool, Captain America), Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Stranger Things, Fantastic Beasts, Vikings, Anime, DC (Batman, Joker, Superman, Wonder Woman), Super Mario, KPop Demon Hunters, the Legend of Zelda and so much more.

House of Spells is open from 10 a.m. to midnight daily, seven days a week. 

For more information and the latest updates, visit https://houseofspells.com. 

Additional details on fandom activations and upcoming experiences will be announced in the near future. 

From a Baby Yoda backpack to a rare Lord of the Rings collectible Tankard to Batman’s mini Batmobile and the magical wands of Harry Potter, there is something magical to discover for fandom fanatics and families of all ages.

“As they say in Game of Thrones, ‘Winter is Coming’… to Times Square as we bring the fandom universe to Times Square and what always feels like the center of the universe,” said Jaime Vidal, president of USA operations at House of Spells. “Coming to the country’s most iconic entertainment capital is the perfect U.S. launching pad for us, and we can’t wait for visitors to explore the wonders, magic, mystique, and enchantment of House of Spells Times Square. The doors are officially open.”

“The ultimate fandom destination is no longer across the pond in a galaxy far, far away, it is right here in Times Square, the beating heart of Midtown Manhattan which welcomes approximately 200,000 visitors daily,” said Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance. “In a neighborhood where magic happens every day, we welcome House of Spells and its mystical charm to the Crossroads of the World.” 

“New York City, and in particular Times Square, is a truly magical place that welcomes visitors from around the world with visitors from the UK topping the list. How great is it to also welcome from the UK, House of Spells. Unlike the British visitors who usually stay for a few days, this huge immersive retail experience store plans to be here for years to come, attracting even more of our friends from across the pond,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions.

“I’m delighted to celebrate the grand opening of House of Spells, which promises to become another iconic retail destination in the heart of Times Square. More than 50 million tourists pass through Times Square every year, and I’m thrilled that House of Spells chose to plant its first-ever U.S. flagship on 42^nd St. - a testament to Manhattan’s place as the world’s premier destination for retail and entertainment. Congratulations to the entire House of Spells team, and I encourage all Manhattanites and visitors to pick up a wand and explore,” said Manhattan Borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

“New York has always been a place where imagination comes to life,” said council member Carl Wilson. “House of Spells builds on that tradition by creating a place where fans of every generation, every walk of life, and every fandom can immerse themselves into the worlds they love. Congratulations to the entire team on your first U.S. flagship, and we wish you many years of success.”

“House of Spells is such a magical place and exactly the kind of thing I would have wanted to see growing up. It brings together communities, geeks—in the nicest possible way—and all of us that believe in the impossible. Like a theater, the architecture and design of the shop really transport you,” said Jamie Allen, British illusionist and star of AMAZE.

“House of Spells’ opening represents another step in our vision for a stronger, more connected West 42^nd St.,” said Sunny Choi, head of leasing at Madison International Realty. “We’re proud to bring in a story-driven retail experience that will draw visitors from across the globe, adding yet another iconic name to this landmark destination.”