2nd & Charles Announces Harry Potter Midnight Release Party, 7/30

Extra, extra, read all about it! 2nd & Charles management announced today that fans of the wizarding world will get a special first look at its newest store in the Detroit's Utica suburb during the Harry Potter Release Party on Saturday, July 30! Located in the Utica Park shopping center at 45290 Utica Park Blvd, the specialty shop will hold an enchanting event celebrating the countdown to the highly-anticipated script book release of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I & II," the theatrical eighth installment of JK Rowling's best-selling series. "Muggles" can expect to experience magical festivities well into the night, as Potter mania gears up for the big reveal at midnight!

The celebration will kick off at 2 p.m., as patrons take a photographic journey throughout the store for a Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt! The official countdown party will begin at 9 p.m. and feature a Sorting Hat ceremony for guests to discover their Hogwarts house perfect paring. Every half hour, shoppers can join in the various interactive activity stations leading up to the midnight book release. These special activities will include face painting, a coloring station, Harry Potter trivia and a wand-making session. Beginning at 11 p.m., fans are encouraged to don their best Hogwarts robes with brooms and wands in tow, and enter the costume contest. Customers can register to win the ultimate Harry Potter prize pack, and attendees will even receive an exclusive swag bag filled with enchanted goodies!

Harry Potter Midnight Release event schedule:

• 2 p.m.: Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt
• 9-11 p.m.: Harry Potter-themed activity stations, including Sorting Hat ceremonies, coloring station, trivia contest, wand making craft, Harry Potter prize giveaways and more
• 11 p.m.: Harry Potter-themed costume contest
• 12 a.m. (Midnight): Midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts 1 & 11"

On Saturday, August 6 the eclectic retailer, which specializes in trading books, video games, vinyl records, collectibles and more, will officially debut its new store with an action-packed grand opening! Festivities are set to begin at 10 a.m. and will include photo opportunities with costumed characters, family-friendly activities and a Nintendo gaming tournament. There will also be special prizes up for grabs! Five lucky guests will receive a $100 shopping spree to 2nd & Charles, and customers can enter to win a $500 gift card.

"2nd & Charles is far from any typical book store," said Scott Kappler, vice president of marketing for 2nd & Charles. "We are all about one-of-a-kind discoveries in almost every category: pop culture, comic books, vinyl records, collectibles - you name it! Each store is truly a treasure trove of books, accessories and games galore. You could easily spend hours browsing the aisles, and you really never know what you'll find!"

Attendees will also be able to enjoy delicious fare from ChuckStop, the brand's first on-site coffee bar. The café will offer a selection of hot and cold beverages, whole-bean coffee, full-leaf teas, pastries, snacks and more for shoppers.

"Coffee and books are such a natural pairing," said Kappler. "We have been interested in adding a café to 2nd & Charles for quite some time now, and Utica is the perfect place to launch the concept! With more than three miles of stocked shelf space at each store, our shoppers typically linger and peruse the aisles leisurely. ChuckStop will add to 2nd & Charles' reputation as a true community gathering place-while enjoying a freshly brewed cup of joe!"

Grand Opening event schedule:

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Noon): Meet and Greet character appearances with photo opportunities; free face painting and balloon art for the children.
• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Register for prizes and giveaways throughout the day including several $100 2nd and Charles gift cards, as well as a $500 2nd & Charles gift card.
• 11 a.m.: Kid's story time and activities
• 4 - 6 p.m.: Nintendo gaming tournament in The Arena

2nd & Charles buys and sells new and used books, CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray, video games, game systems, vinyl records, comic books, electronics, toys, collectibles and more. Customers wishing to sell their own used items can check them upon arrival and redeem for cash or store credit. The specialty shop, which draws a diverse audience of gamer fanatics, pop culture junkies, movie buffs, bookworms and much more, offers over 300,000 items in more than three miles of stocked shelf space.

2nd & Charles Utica store hours will be Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. The store's ChuckStop coffee shop hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

For more information about 2nd & Charles in Utica, visit 2ndandcharles.com/locations/utica-mi.

About 2nd & Charles

2nd & Charles specializes in trading used books, audio books, CDs, DVDs, video games, game systems, vinyl records and accessories. Stores buy and sell based on the condition and popularity of the product.

For more information, visit 2ndandcharles.com. Follow 2nd & Charles on Facebook (facebook.com/2ndandCharles).

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