The gateway to Magic & Mystery – new shopping experience opens in York’s Monk Bar

Visitors arriving in the city and exploring York’s city walls are set to have a magical welcome from today (Saturday 22 July 2023) with the opening of a new pop-up shopping experience within one of the city’s gateways: Magic & Mystery at Monk Bar.

The unique shop, which occupies the walkway-level floor of Monk Bar, is the latest project from York Archaeology Attractions.  It is based on the highly successful Magic & Mystery Exhibition which was hosted at Barley Hall.

“Since the pandemic, Monk Bar has played host to our virtual outreach sessions, with sets and miniature green-screen facilities on the upper floors which we use to talk to schools around the world, but the ground floor has remained empty.  With the city once again ready to fill with visitors, we’ve taken elements of the Magic & Mystery Exhibition and some of the most popular giftware items and created a retail experience like no other!” comments York Archaeology’s head of operations, Gareth Henry.

Creative use has been made of the modest space to include displays creating a context for the role of magic and mystery in the city of York during its medieval heyday, with QR codes linking to fascinating films exploring the subject further.  A selfie station allows visitors to take their own souvenir photos, whilst a range of magical-themed products are available to purchase.

“We know that budgets are much tighter at the moment with the cost-of-living crisis, so we hope that this is a fun, free addition to any visit into the city centre,” adds manager, Paul Ruxton.  “There has certainly been plenty of interest from visitors walking the walls as we have been setting the displays and products up, and look forward to opening the heavy wooden doors.”

Magic & Mystery at Monk Bar is currently scheduled to operate throughout the summer as a pop-up pilot for the concept.  It will open daily until 1 September from 10am to 5pm.