The latest international toy craze is hitting a Portland-area mall this weekend.
>> Business opening or closing in your neighborhood? Email the reporter at vnocera@oregonian.com.
Pop Mart, a Chinese collectibles company, is opening its first Oregon store at Clackamas Town Center Saturday — and the mall is prepared for lines to form as early as 6 a.m.
Founded in 2010, the company is known for its character-based toys, collectibles and blind boxes. Pop Mart has more than 530 stores worldwide, including a vending machine “robo shop” at Washington Square mall.
Pop Mart is most notably the sole seller of Labubu, a line of plush dolls that’s experienced a wave of recent popularity. When the store opened a location in Los Angeles last week, hundreds of eager customers lined up before sunrise, The New York Times reported.
In anticipation of crowds, Clackamas Town Center set rules for Saturday’s grand opening: Pop Mart will open its doors at 9 a.m., but customers can line up outside (across the street from the Panera Bread) starting at 6, according to the mall website. At 7, they can move inside. Camping is not allowed.
Shoppers who spend more than $99 or $199 will receive free items as long as they’re available, according to the website.
Labubu dolls are the latest in a long line of collectible crazes, joining iconic characters like Hello Kitty and more recent 2000s creations like Sonny Angel and Gudetama.
A Labubu doll is part of Pop Mart’s The Monsters series and often sell out immediately online. The toy gained attention last fall when Lisa — a member of South Korean pop group Blackpink who most recently appeared on TV show “The White Lotus” — shared her love for Pop Mart.
In Portland, Labubu superfans have been buzzing about Pop Mart’s Clackamas Town Center location online for months. One commenter, at least, hopes to get there bright and early: “I NEED to take the day off so I can get in line for it!”
—Veronica Nocera covers retail and recalls news for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Is a business in your area opening or closing? Reach Veronica at vnocera@oregonian.com.