If you’ve been to Edinburgh, Scotland and are a Harry Potter fan, you’ve likely visited The Elephant House. It’s best known as the iconic cafe that author J.K. Rowling once wrote parts of Harry Potter in. Folks from everywhere flock to this cafe to stand in the place where Rowling wrote a series many of us love and adore.
Unfortunately, the cafe suffered damage earlier this week due to a nearby fire. It was immediately evacuated and shut down soon after. David Taylor, who has owned the cafe for 25 years, spoke to the BBC about the extent of the damage. “We thought yesterday that we would just have to deal with smoke and water damage but having been allowed a quick look inside today I can see that is not the case and in fact, there is a lot of fire damage too. To say I’m devastated is an understatement. I think it will take months to rebuild but it’s hard to say.”
As of this writing, one person was taken to the hospital and one person was treated at the scene.
Footage shows the extent of damage to the Elephant House 'Harry Potter' cafe in Edinburgh following a nearby fire.
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) August 25, 2021
More ➡️ https://t.co/vaQrfnyKEG pic.twitter.com/89Xr46SxGb
I’m a huge Harry Potter fan myself and visited The Elephant House during a trip to Edinburgh in 2017. It was surreal to know that parts of the Harry Potter story came into being in that very place. I’m sad to hear that the cafe was damaged like this! On behalf of all Potterheads, we wish Mr. Taylor a quick and easy rebuilt so that he can once again invite fans from all over the world into his establishment.
Man fires bullet into Harry Potter flagship store in New York City
The Edinburgh cafe wasn’t the only Harry Potter location to suffer hardship over the past week. one to face an unfortunate circumstance in the last week as the new Harry Potter flagship store in New York City was pierced by a bullet. According to the New York Post, the new Harry Potter flagship store in New York City was pierced by a bullet fired around 3:00 a.m.
Sources say that there was a scuffle and that a man in a ski mask tried to shoot someone but missed. The bullet instead pierced the door of the store, shattered the glass, and flew inside. Luckily, no one was hurt, although the man in the ski mask did get away. No arrests were made.
“New York is considerably more interesting than I expected.” - Newt Scamander
— Harry Potter Store New York (@HarryPotterNY) July 29, 2021
We couldn't agree more, Newt. 🏙 #HarryPotterNY pic.twitter.com/NRapYLaI9l
The store opened just a few months ago to a warm welcome from fans. At this time, the store has resumed business as usual. I hope I can go someday soon!
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