ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The famous traveling Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is making a stop at the Annapolis Mall on Aug. 16. The truck will be outside Jongro & Rodizio Grill from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., giving locals the opportunity to buy treats and merch and celebrate Hello Kitty like the dedicated fans they are.
Hello Kitty is a fictional white anthropomorphic cat character. She is so globally famous that Japan appointed her their tourism ambassador. Hello Kitty was introduced in 1974 and has since become a household brand, been featured on several TV series, has her own line of items from stationery to socks and is a representation of Japanese kawaii (cute) culture.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is the traveling arm of this global icon. The truck serves as a traveling “cafe” where customers can purchase some of the products they could otherwise only get at a cafe location. Currently, there are limited cafe locations in the United States: one in Irvine, California; one in Santa Clara; two in Las Vegas; and one in Universal Studios Hollywood. The brand has a West Coast truck and an East Coast truck that offer limited versions of what the cafes have.
Hello Kitty’s owner, Sanrio, says the trucks are the “original” cafe experience. The first truck launched in 2014 and later expanded into a cafe and the additional locations. The trucks bring the experience and connectivity of the global brand to local neighborhoods and give people the chance to take their fandom to the next level.
Fans say the trucks are known for their exclusive, limited-edition merchandise and collectible items. Many keep track of the truck and look for newly released items that are specific to each location. The truck’s appearance in Annapolis is timed well for back-to-school shopping and should have one-of-a-kind sales geared toward the stop. Past stops in the DMV include Washington, D.C., and Bethesda.
If you’re planning to visit the Hello Kitty Truck, chances are, you’ll be able to find it. The truck is bright pink with images of the famous cat plastered on all sides. And if that’s still not enough, look out for the long lines of fans that are surely following close behind.
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