Calgary businesses overwhelmed by 'Diagon Alley' event
Thousands of fans flooded 10th Street to mark Harry Potter's 36th birthday
Some businesses in Kensington look forward to holding future Harry Potter events — but say better planning is needed.
On Sunday, thousands of fans showed up for a Harry Potter-themed day timed tied to two big events — Potter's 36th birthday and the latest book release.
Margaret Koev could have used a magic wand yesterday trying to fill drink orders at the coffee and tea shop where she works along 10th Street N.W.
"We knew it would be busy," Koev said. "But even the owner, she told us not even the Salsa Festival got this many customers in."
At the Gummi Boutique, Thea Killen-Smith said it didn't take long to sell out of their Butterbeer, Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans.
"People were walking in like it was Black Friday and just loading up," she said.
Smith said once they saw the lineups, they brought in more staff.
"I really don't think the organizers expected it to get this big," she said.
"But now we know. You put Harry Potter in the name and thousands of people show up," she added. "We'll start planning like pretty much right away for next year I think."
She says they'd like this to become an annual event.
"It was magical," she said.
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