Think of her as the Lady Gaga to Labubu’s Sabrina Carpenter. Despite being 50, Hello Kitty still draws long lines every time the Hello Kitty Cafe truck rolls into San Antonio. Expect more of the same when it stops by North Star Mall on Saturday, September 20.
Started in 2014, the Hello Kitty Cafe truck is now a full fleet, making simultaneous stops in Staten Island, New York and Vancouver, Washington while parked in San Antonio. This year, the mobile shop is celebrating two milestones — the 10th anniversary of the cafe truck's debut and Hello Kitty’s official entry into middle age.
This iridescent tote is among Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary collectables.Photo courtesy of Hello Kitty Cafe
A ton of new merch marks the joyous decennial, including t-shirts, sweaters, keychains, pins, and cup ornaments. Sanrio fans can also nab plush toys, ceramic mugs, and thermal bottles that will make Badtz-maru batty with envy.
Hello Kitty will arrive at her golden jubilee with a commemorative iridescent tote. The character, who Sanrio notoriously insists is a British human named Kitty White, might prefer a Saint Laurent hobo now that she has a 401(k). But a sparkly bag is better than an “over the hill” card.
Rainbow macarons are among the cafe's sweet treats.Photo courtesy of Hello Kitty Cafe
In recent years, the cafe has placed less emphasis on food, dropping its original iced drinks altogether. But it will have a few sweet treats in a nod to Hello Kitty’s baking hobby, such macaron and madeleine sets and a giant chef cookie iced with bows and hearts.
The truck will be parked in the parking lot on the corner of 410 access road at North Star Mall, 7400 San Pedro Ave. Although the official hours are 10 am-7 pm, fans of the kawaii icon should plan to arrive early to avoid long lines.
