Wearing Hogwarts robes and witches' hats, hundreds of Potterheads sipped Butterbeer and posed for photos in Hagrid's giant shoes as New York's long-awaited Harry Potter store, the biggest in the world, opened Thursday.

People shop inside the New York's Harry Potter store as it opened to the public on June 3, 2021
People shop inside the New York's Harry Potter store as it opened to the public on June 3, 2021 AFP / Angela Weiss

Fans of the boy wizard queued for hours in heavy rain to be among the first inside the three-story shop in Lower Manhattan that hosts the largest collection of Potter products anywhere.

Harry Potter fans queue to get into the New York store on June 3, 2021
Harry Potter fans queue to get into the New York store on June 3, 2021 AFP / Angela Weiss

"It's really magical," said Margaret Suarez, whose boyfriend arrived at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) to hold a spot in line four hours ahead of opening.

People shop inside the world's largest Harry Potter store as it opens to the public on June 3, 2021 in New York City
People shop inside the world's largest Harry Potter store as it opens to the public on June 3, 2021 in New York City AFP / Angela Weiss

Suarez, 30, quickly eyed a wand belonging to witch Bellatrix Lestrange to go with the patronus charm memorabilia and funko pop figures that were already in her shopping bag.

New York's Harry Potter store opened on June 3, 2021
New York's Harry Potter store opened on June 3, 2021 AFP / Angela Weiss

"In my heart, I'm a wizard," Suarez told AFP. "I really want to get a wand and personalize it so I can live my best fantasy," the New Yorker added.

New York's Harry Potter store opened on June 3, 2021 in New York City
New York's Harry Potter store opened on June 3, 2021 in New York City AFP / Angela Weiss

Ruben Juarez, 27, and his wife traveled from Dallas, Texas for the grand opening of the 21,000 square-foot (1,950 square meters) store that is near the Flatiron building.

"We're excited to be here. I love everything Harry Potter," said Juarez, wearing the scarlet and gold scarf of the house of Gryffindor.

Fans queue for hours in heavy rain to be among the first inside New York's long-awaited Harry Potter store, hosting the largest collection of Potter products in the world.
Fans queue for hours in heavy rain to be among the first inside New York's long-awaited Harry Potter store, hosting the largest collection of Potter products in the world. AFPTV / Diane DESOBEAU

Large crowds gathered outside the store throughout the morning, with even a few police officers called to ensure order was maintained, as Potterheads waited for their timed ticket entry.

Inside, fans of J. K Rowling's magical world snapped selfies in front of a red telephone box like the one that transports witches and wizards to the Ministry of Magic, and bought fizzing whizbees candy.

They tried on knitted quidditch jumpers, flicked through copies of the best-selling book series in history and sampled the wizards' favorite drink at the Butterbeer bar.

"Butterbeer is like cream soda but with a kick to it. It's unlike anything, honestly," explained 21-year-old Emilee Rodriguez.

The flagship store was due to open last summer but was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"I'm having the time of my life. I'm fighting back tears this whole time, I'm loving it," she told AFP.