NORWALK — International toy entertainment experience company Pop Mart is opening its first Connecticut location in the SoNo Collection Saturday.
“We are thrilled to introduce the magic of Pop Mart to the Norwalk community by opening The Sono Collection store,” Larry Lu, head of Pop Mart North America, said in a statement “The new store will allow Pop Mart to bring our unique retail experience to Connecticut and create a space where fans can discover new and exciting collectibles, connect with like-minded individuals, and unleash their inner creativity.”
With locations in Manhattan and Queens, Pop Mart’s Connecticut location will be the first in the state and the 23rd brick-and-mortar location in the United States as part of the company’s “rapid” expansion, its statement said. The store will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
“The new location will serve as a hub for creativity, self-expression, and celebrating art in toy form,” the statement said. “Visitors can expect an immersive environment showcasing (Pop Mart) characters' vibrant and diverse worlds.”
Pop Mart has a slate of its own characters and intellectual property, though it also partners with larger brands like Netflix, Disney, Universal and other brands to make toys inspired by the Minions and Squid Game franchises, DC Comics characters like the Joker among dozens of other collaborations, the website says.
Pop Mart is launching this month a slate of Barbie figurines, according to the website. The store will sell “blind boxes,” which surprise buyers with the toy they buy, and exclusive collectibles, the statement said.
“This new store marks a significant milestone in our retail expansion, bringing even more fans our unique, high-quality collectibles,” Lu said. “As we continue to grow, we’re excited to offer shoppers nationwide an immersive experience where they can discover our diverse selection and explore the artistry and innovation behind our collectibles firsthand.”
Originally founded in China, the Pop Mart brand is known worldwide, with over 500 stores globally in 30 countries.
The SoNo Collection opened in 2019 and has collected several unique stores including Miniso which also sells collectible items.