Even the windows are filled with magical things! It's hard to walk past this shop and not stare at the wonders inside.
There are four floors dedicated to the work of MinaLima, and even the stairs are decorated with Daily Prophet posters, and all over the floors were Harry's Hogwarts acceptance letters.
On the ground floor you have lots of limited prints for sale, lots of posters including Sirius Blacks wanted poster, Umbridge's rules such as 'Boy and Girls are not permitted to be within 8 inches of each other', Bellatrix Lestrange's wanted poster, and other delights like those. You can also pick up the Hogwarts acceptance letter stickers to replicate Harry's fireplace! All the little details really make this place quite special.
On the first floor you're eyes are immediately drawn to the massive Marauders map across the entire floor, and most likely you'll have the same feeling of envy that I did and possibly will be already making plans to do this to your own floor. I understand, it's okay, I want it too.
All over my floors, all over my walls, paint the roof with it- oh my god. How amazing would it be do have your HOUSE painted with the Marauders map?! One day. After I win the lottery.
Then once you've marveled over the floor enough, (I'm mean how long is too long really?) you'll notice all the framed prints around the room, and the shiny gold words on the wall to your right.
And amongst all those posters was one of my favourite things! Ron's howler from his mother! One of the most memorable scenes from the movie. I can just hear Mrs. Weasley's voice when I read the letter again!
By the windows there is a long case filled to the brim with props straight from the film. Rita Skeeters book Albus Dumbledore from The Goblet of Fire, a Chocolate Frog Box, Defense against the Dark Arts for Beginners, a few issues of Quibbler and so many more things. Including a little cameo from the pair themselves!
Unfortunately for us, the second floor was closed for business as the staff were setting up for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It was very tempting to peek behind the purple velvet curtain but alas, it was not to be. If we were to stay until Friday we would have seen all the goodies. Instead we moved up to the third floor, where there were loads of book covers all over the walls. Obviously I wanted all of them.
Gilderoy Lockheart - Magical Me
Hogwarts A History
Every book that was used in the film was on the wall, and trust me when I say you'll probably recognize them all. Dotted around the room were tiny cabinets with the original books in them.
Across the room was a small fireplace with tons and tons of letters pouring out of it, every 11 year olds dream. (Also this 22 year olds dream.)
And sitting proudly in all its shiny glory above the fireplace was the original cover for Fantastic Beasts.
The new cover for Fantastic Beasts is gorgeous, but I'd love to get my hands on this cover. I'll have to save up for a print!
If you're a Harry Potter fan and you live in London or you have the opportunity to go up to London before February, definitely pop into the House of MinaLima, its free to enter, and the staff have lots of trivia to share! So ask questions, drool over notebooks, get all the posters and drool over the untouchable props. I definitely have plans to go back and see this Fantastic Beasts floor that I missed, hopefully I can squeeze a couple of purchases in too! After booking tickets to see The Cursed Child last year and still having to wait until March NEXT year, this is the dose of magic that I needed.
Address:
26 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 5DE - https://goo.gl/maps/yKtT13ZCWsn
26 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 5DE - https://goo.gl/maps/yKtT13ZCWsn
Nearest Tube Stations:
Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus
Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus
Bus Routes: https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
Contact:Telephone – 0203 214 0000
Email – info@minalima.com
Opening Hours:Monday – 12:00 to 7:00 pmTuesday – 12:00 to 7:00 pmWednesday – 12:00 to 7:00 pmThursday – 12:00 to 8:00 pmFriday – 12:00 to 7:00 pmSaturday – 12:00 to 7:00 pmSunday – 12:00 to 6:00 pm
