Many of us can’t forget what it was like to be desperately seeking a Cabbage Patch Kid. Same with Tamagotchis, Tickle Me Elmo and Baby Shark. The latest must-have craze? Labubu dolls—and yes, the obsession is real.
Labubu is a doll line created by Chinese artist Kasing Lung that looks like a cross between an elf, a Gremlin and a bunny. They were part of Lung’s Nordic Fairy Tale picture book series, but in 2010, when he switched from professional illustrator to toy designer, he made these part of his “Monsters” series. Since 2019, the dolls have been part of the Pop Mart collection, including stuffies, keychains, laptop bags, gloves, earmuffs, earrings, and more.
These characters were developed in 2015 but went viral just recently after Lisa from the K-Pop group Blackpink proclaimed her fandom.
After doing some research on where to get a Labubu, we went to Freehold Raceway Mall to hunt for Zimomo, Mokoko, Tycoco and Spooky. Though Boxed Lunch closed and Miniso doesn’t carry the line, we stopped in our tracks when we saw a small poster outside of Showcase near the food court. And yes, the dolls are in stock here – but they don’t come out until the weekend.
Showcase is a Canadian company so the prices are a little higher due to imports, ranging from $60 for a keychain to $120 for a box set – but that doesn’t stop fans from coming in to see what’s in stock. Some stores won’t release their items until the weekend because shoppers have been less-than-courteous to sales associates so keep that in mind.
What’s fun about Labubu is that some are sold in “blind boxes,” meaning you don’t know which one you’re buying. But the product line isn’t cheap, so you could be in for a bigger investment if your kid wants a specific character. The accessories start at $20, and the dolls range around $60, but you may also find yourself paying hundreds of dollars in resale fees for the collectibles.
Pop Mart‘s stock runs out pretty quickly (you have to order through the app), and you can order from resale sites like All in Anime or StockX, but like with any fad, beware of scammers.
There are also bootleg versions called Lafufus, which your kids may not care much for. Your box should have a QR code that takes you to Pop Mart’s website – if not, you’ve got a fake. The dolls should have nine pointed teeth, and pale peach skin (not any other color). Newer dolls also have an authenticity stamp visible only under UV light.
The hype is so real that a life-sized Labubu figure recently sold for more than $170,000 at the first Labubu art auction hosted by Yongle Auction in China – and there were 1,000 bidders!
Where To Find Labubu Dolls in New Jersey:
So, how much are you willing to spend on the Labubu line? These locations have been reported to sell Labubus, but we do not guarantee they will have any products in stock. Call before heading out, just to be sure.
Bergen County
Pop Mart and Pop Mart Robo Sho (next to Miniso), American Dream, East Rutherford
Camden County
S.Mart Life, 1445 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill
Pop Mart Robo Shop Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill
Hudson County
Soled Out, 366 Central Ave., Jersey City
Middlesex County
Gatcha, Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Poplulu, 518 Old Post Rd., Suite 16, Edison
Suprise Box, Woodbridge Center Mall, Woodbridge
Monmouth County
Robo Shop by Pop Mart (vending machine in the food court), Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Showcase, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Passaic County
Ebisu Life Store, Willowbrook Mall, Wayne
JC&S #2, 81 Market St., Passaic
Sneaker Arcade, 28 Lakeside Ave., Pompton Lakes
And select Barnes & Noble locations.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Albatross is the Luxury Mini Golf and Bowling Entertainment Complex We Didn’t Know We Needed
Kaleidoscope Cove Brings a New Underwater Immersive Experience to Adventure Aquarium
Liberty Science Center Opens a Gross Exhibit About the Human Body + Your Kids Will Love It
The Jonas Brothers Mark 20 Years With a Sweet New Friendly’s Collab
FIFA World Cup Fever is Hitting New Jersey and We’re Here For It
Play Ball! Kids Can Help Set a Guinness World Record For the Largest Game of Catch
Popular Now:
The Best Counties to Live in New Jersey
The Best Free Beaches in New Jersey
This is New Jersey’s Most Underrated Town, Travel Site Says
These 30 Towns Are the Top Places to Live in NJ, According to Niche
These NJ High Schools Send the Most Grads to Harvard, Princeton & MIT
This NJ Gem Was Just Named One of the Best New Hotels on the Planet
