Pop Mart opens first Michigan stores, brings Labubu craze

Pop Mart opened its first Michigan locations on January 15, putting the Labubu blind-box craze squarely into suburban Detroit. The company launched storefronts at the Somerset Collection in Troy and Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, and initial crowds and quick sellouts made clear how eagerly local collectors embraced the brand.

Labubu, the rabbitlike character created by Kasing Lung, has become a fixture in blind-box collecting among young adults for its playful design and frequent limited-run colorways and variants. The blind-box model means individual figures are packaged without identifying labels, which fuels the thrill of unboxing and the secondary market for rare "chase" pieces. That model also magnifies demand and creates surges at new store openings.

Local shoppers found long lines at both locations on opening day and reported rapid sellouts when cases were opened. That intensity matters for anyone trying to buy Labubu in Metro Detroit: plan for early arrivals, expect some popular releases to go quickly, and be ready to wait if you aim for specific variants. Buying directly from the Pop Mart storefronts reduces the counterfeit risk compared with third-party resellers, but the heightened demand increases the chances of encountering fakes in resale channels.

Verify authenticity by comparing packaging and figure details to official Pop Mart images before purchasing from secondary sellers. If you want a specific Labubu variant, consider trading within local collector groups or arranging case buys with friends to increase your odds of pulling a chase. Follow the stores' official social feeds for restock notices and special events, which are often how stores manage sudden demand spikes.

The arrival of Pop Mart also changes local community dynamics. Mall foot traffic can increase around toy releases, and local collectors now have a physical place to meet, trade and organize. Expect pop-up events, trading nights and potentially increased resale activity in the weeks after launch as collectors chase rarer figures and complete sets.

For readers looking to participate, going in informed will improve the experience: arrive early, stick to official storefronts when possible, research current market values before paying premiums, and connect with local trading circles to swap duplicates. The Pop Mart debut is likely only the first chapter of a larger Michigan collecting scene — watch for restocks, special releases and community meetups as demand settles and the Labubu ecosystem grows locally.