Beijing-based store known for viral blind boxes about to open location at Ontario mall
Just when everyone thought the beloved Labubu was a fleeting fad, the plushies are proving the naysayers wrong, because Pop Mart, a store dedicated entirely to Labubus and other popular Gashapon, or blind box toys, is opening an Ontario outpost.
Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton, Ont., is preparing to welcome a Pop Mart standalone storefront in the near future. While there's no confirmed opening date, the hoardings make it clear that the brand is gearing up to open soon.
A Toronto Premium Outlets spokesperson confirmed to blogTO that the shop will open as early as "within the next two weeks."
Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toy brand, is widely recognized as a leader in the burgeoning blind box economy, selling designer collectible toys like DIMOO, Skullpanda, and, of course, Labubu, in sealed boxes that conceal the collectible inside.
A testament to its growing reach, Pop Mart projected a 350 per cent profit increase between January and June 2025, and that doesn't even account for the enormous value the viral items sold at the store tend to fetch on the resale market.
The craze behind these toys taps into the thrill of surprise in much the same way as gambling, bolstered by social media buzz and unboxing videos with enormous view counts. What began as a vending machine novelty in Japan quickly evolved into boutique pop-ups and is now making way for flagship stores across the world.
Pop Mart opened its first North American location in Richmond, B.C., in March 2021, with its upcoming location at the outlet store being its first in Ontario.
Pop Mart's standalone store will soon open at Toronto Premium Outlets, next to Peoples Jewellers, located at 13850 Steeles Ave., Halton Hills, Ont.
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