Maker of Labubu toy craze opening first Ontario store

The maker of Labubu, the latest must-have toy craze from China, is opening its first Ontario brick-and-mortar store in a Greater Toronto Area outlet mall.

The monster-like figures have gained popularity thanks to celebrity sightings with the creatures, like K-pop superstar Lisa from BLACKPINK popularize the toys into a sell-out item.

Made by Pop Mart and sold in “blind boxes,” buyers don’t know which of the Labubu dolls they will get and have become a collectible craze across the globe.

The retailer is set to open its first official Ontario store in Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills on Jan. 26, the mall says in posts online.

Pop Mart already has a store in B.C. and “ROBO SHOP” vending machines at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga and in Scarborough.

The mall’s website says Pop Mart store “is a market-leading character-based entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture.”