Hello Kitty fans flock to Sacramento’s Arden Fair mall for pop-up truck selling merch and more
A pop-up truck dedicated to Hello Kitty made an appearance Saturday at the Arden Fair mall in Sacramento, as the Japanese-created character celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Sanrio Hello Kitty Cafe Truck brought flocks of people to purchase food, clothing and other merchandise associated with the popular Japanese-created cartoon character that resembles a cat who rocks a bright pink bow.
Hundreds of fans, people of all ages, lined up for the truck as it parked in the lot between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at Forever 21 and Sears on Arden Way.
The truck itself has been around for a decade, a Hello Kitty Cafe employee said, popping up in different states such as Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida, nearly twice a year.
The Hello Kitty Cafe offers sweet treats such as Madeleine cookies, macarons and sugar cookies with the character’s design ranging from $14 to $18.
Various merchandise products were sold including tote bags, a plush toy, 50th anniversary hoodies and t-shirts, ceramic mugs, 18-ounce and 32-ounce thermal bottles, cold cup ornaments, pins and key chains.
What is the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck?
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck launched in 2014 and has since made pit stops at malls and centers across the United States, according to its website.
The truck is scheduled to make seven appearances throughout California between January and February, with stops in Fremont, San Bruno, San Diego, Torrance, Downey, Carlsbad and Chula Vista, the website said.
What was the pop-up like for fans?
Suzanne Ansell is studying to obtain her doctorate degree, but when she heard about the Hello Kitty Cafe coming back to Sacramento, she decided to give herself a break from her studies to check out the truck.
She was surprised to find out that the Japanese-inspired character is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“Hello Kitty is just a little bit older than me,” Ansell said.
Ansell said she grew up on “Sailor Moon,” a Japanese manga series turned anime TV show, she has adopted an affection for the Sanrio character and been a fan for the last five years.
“I was introduced to Hello Kitty by a coworker who used to teach in Japan,” Ansell said. “I like anime, so I figured I should give myself a break from my doctoral studies and come do something for myself, do a little bit of self care and spend money.”
Matthew Tibbitts first became enamored with Hello Kitty when he visited one of their pop-up trucks in Las Vegas.
Like Ansell and many other fans that awaited the truck, Tibbitts braved more than an hour in line.
“It took about an hour and 20 minutes,” Tibbitts said. “We got here around 11 a.m. It was worth it for the experience. I would recommend (trying) it out at least once.”
How was it for families?
Saturday was a family affair.
Elly Ellis grew up a Hello Kitty fan as a little girl, now she’s passed that tradition down to her two daughters who joined her outside of Arden Fair mall awaiting a chance to grab some new fan gear.
She said they’ve traveled around California cities in the past such as Stockton and San Francisco just to get a chance at merchandise and apparel.
She’s even waited at 6 a.m. to be the first in line for the truck in previous trips. It’s customary to wait two or three hours, she said.
“This is a big fan thing,” Ellis said. “We love tracking the truck because they have new stuff every year. Yeah, it’s just fun.”
Ellis planned to walk away with a new mug for her collection and a carrying bag, she said, more practical items for an adult.
“I have one hoodie,” Ellis said. “I really don’t need more. But I will take a doll and I’ll put it in my car.”
Ellis reminisced when she was a kid always wanting Hello Kitty-themed pencils and other stationery items.
“I thought it was so cool,” Ellis said. “And coming to the mall back then, they had the Hello Kitty store, so I love checking it out. My dad was very cheap, and would not want to buy me the legit Hello Kitty stuff that all the cool kids had. So I think as an adult, this is my way of, like, getting back at my dad. I indulge myself. I have “grown up” money now.”
More chances for Hello Kitty merchandise?
Missed out on the Hello Kitty Care pop-up truck this weekend? There’s still another chance coming soon to get some cool Hello Kitty merchandise.
The Sacramento Kings are hosting their Hello Kitty night as a promotion for Jan. 16 game against the Houston Rockets.
“Join us on January 16 when the Kings face the Rockets for an exciting game filled with fun activities, entertainment and more featuring the world-famous Hello Kitty,” the Kings website said.
Last year, the team provided fans with a tote bag and a souvenir cup, in addition to Hello Kitty sweatshirts for purchase at the team store. This year, fans will get Hello Kitty key chains.
Ansell said she can’t make the game herself due to the start of her classes, but she told a coworker who coaches a youth girls basketball team to go — and bring her daughter.
“It’s awesome that they’re doing all of this to celebrate 50 years of a wholesome cartoon.”
This story was originally published January 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM.
