SEATTLE — Fans of “Harry Potter” are flocking to a shop in Pike Place Market that carries a variety of wares for wizarding lifestyles.
The Alabaster Owl is only 300 square feet, but it’s packed floor to ceiling with goblets, crystal balls, tiaras, jewelry, brooms, umbrellas, and other objects necessary for an enchanted home.
Like Diagon Alley, the spell-binding shop isn't easy to find. It’s located near Cinnamon Works in a small corridor between Post Alley and Pike Place Market.
"It's 100-year-old building, it's triangle-shaped, on Post Alley. It says ‘91 1/2,’ and I'm under the stairs,” said owner Sarah Taylor. "It was occupied for 40 years with a naturopath physician, so it has a healing quality, and it has the energy of someone who was taking care of people. You feel protected in this space."
From antique chandeliers to modern jewelry, Taylor lets her own taste guide what's on hand. Some things are from her personal collection, dating back decades. Others represent house colors found at Hogwarts.
"It's ‘wizard lifestyle,’” Taylor said. "I love when people walk in and it takes their breathe away."
She believes each piece can be practical magic. One man bought a wizard cape for Halloween but plans on also using it as a bathrobe.
"I tell people these are ‘business casual tiaras,’” she said, referencing the crystal-encrusted head pieces. “If you sit at your computer, you'll sit up straight. And then they go, 'Oh, okay!" To me, magic is in all the little things, whether it's things coming together or people finding things they love - I feel there is magic in our every day and we just kind of have to look for the meaning.”
The Alabaster Owl is open from noon – 6 p.m. Thursday – Tuesday.
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