SHORT PUMP, Va. -- Fans waited in lines wrapping around the building, with some arriving as early as 3 a.m., to get their hands on exclusive merchandise from the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at Short Pump Town Center on Saturday.
The iconic all-pink truck is back on the road for its 2026 U.S. tour, drawing massive crowds to the West End.
"It's crazy how long the line gets, but I mean it's worth it for the fans," a Hello Kitty representative said.
Some people waited over five hours to purchase brand-new treats and limited-edition merchandise. The items sold at the truck are exclusive and cannot be purchased in stores. The merchandise ships directly from the company's warehouses in Santa Clara and other parts of California, featuring specific items sold each year.
"We were first thinking about coming out here at like 7 a.m., but she overslept, so we ended up getting here at like 8:30," one fan said. "But it hasn't been that long, honestly, and I'm actually surprised that we got here and the line wasn't like backed up like that."
Some fans traveled from as far away as Chesapeake and dressed in costumes to celebrate the event.
"And we've been coming here for the last several years and we kind of like hang out at the mall, get lunch together, so that's a reason to dress up," another fan said.
Last year marked Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary and the truck's 10th anniversary. The truck has visited the Short Pump Town Center every year for at least the past three years.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck will continue its East Coast tour with a stop in Tysons Corner on Saturday, March 28.
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