London's historic Hatchards bookstore, located in Piccadilly, has unexpectedly become a sensation among Generation Z, as they flock to recreate scenes from a popular fantasy novel.

This newfound popularity is attributed to TikTok, where young individuals have been sharing their experiences of purchasing Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" from the renowned bookstore.

The trend has found a particular resonance with American tourists, who are enthusiastic about recreating a scene from Cassandra Clare's bestselling novel "The Mortal Instruments," which has been adapted into the hit TV show "Shadowhunters."

Hatchards, which boasts a royal warrant and was established in 1797, plays a role in the book itself. In Clare's novel, a character named Will Herondale visits the bookstore to acquire a copy of Dickens' work as a gift for his love interest Tessa.

Francis Cleverdon, the manager of Hatchards, shared with The Times, "It was mentioned on TikTok about a month ago and since then we've sold bucketloads of Dickens. Quite a lot of people stand by the front till taking pictures of the royal arms. Every week or so they'll see social media content being filmed in the shop."

Apart from Dickens enthusiasts, the store also attracts fans of classic literature due to its mention in Virginia Woolf's "Mrs Dalloway." Cleverdon expressed his delight, stating, "We're used to people following Mrs Dalloway's route, and Mrs Dalloway is quite different to Cassandra Clare, so it's lovely."

This surge in interest is prompting fans to visit Hatchards, adding to the bookstore's legacy and appeal. The store is currently owned by Waterstones and remains unique in its original branding and independent character. As the trend continues to captivate visitors and literature enthusiasts alike, the historic Hatchards bookstore is experiencing a surprising renaissance thanks to the power of social media. Photo by Joao rafael BR, Wikimedia commons.