A double-decker bus from London undergoes a magical transformation in Tri-Cities.
Longtime friends and business partners Mamie Gale and Kevin Fairchild – who work together to run Fairchild Cinemas – are teaming up to create a Harry Potter-themed short-term rental.
“Kevin had been looking for a bus for a few years,” Gale said. “We’re big fans of Harry Potter so what we plan to do is turn him into the Knight Bus.”
On the big screen, the Knight Bus is a purple three-decker bus that carries stranded witches and wizards wherever they need to go. The Magical Transport was first introduced in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, the third book in the seven-part series.
Fairchild says the initial idea came after he and Gale stumbled upon another themed Airbnb in Washington.
After staying at The Hobbit Inn, a cabin near Chelan that was created to look like a Hobbit hole from JRR Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”, Fairchild says they decided they had to do something fun on their own.
“We had a few ideas and the Knight Bus was one of them,” said Fairchild. “So we drove around for about a year trying to find double-decker cars, because there aren’t that many in North America. “
The search ultimately led them to a Craigslist article advertising a still-working double-decker bus for sale in Coeur d’Alene.
They bought the 1966 AEC Routemaster, drove it to Tri-Cities, and parked it on Fairchild’s property near the corner of West 19th Avenue and Union Street in Kennewick.
The bright red bus has already caused a stir.
“People passing by, it’s funny to watch them slow down,” Gale said. “It’s fun to watch them turn around, go back and take pictures.”
Business partners plan to tackle much of the redesign themselves – a process they will document on their own. website, Facebook and Instagram pages – @ theknightbus.wa.
In addition to the redesign updates, Gale says he wants to share the story of the bus that was first introduced to the United States by Red Bull in 2004.
Eventually, they’ll move the bus to a property in Lewis County where they plan to build another Harry Potter-themed Airbnb – a tiny house designed to resemble the half-giant Hagrid’s hut.
Gale says that while they add a lot of magical details to both projects, the short-term rentals are meant to be enjoyed by anyone who wants a fun and unique experience.
“How often do you have the opportunity to come and see a double-decker bus?” ” she said.
Once the bus redesign is complete, they plan to hold an open house in the Tri-Cities before driving it to the west side.
Gale says they hope the immersive experience brings joy to people and creates new Harry Potter fans.
“I think the excitement of being magical will excite people, but also encourage people who don’t know Harry Potter to read the series and then they will enjoy it even more,” she said.
This story was originally published October 4, 2021 5:00 a.m.
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