Raleigh just got a little more collectible. POP MART has opened at Crabtree Valley Mall, and we stopped by to check it out. The store is bright, fun, and packed with blind box toys, designer figures, plush characters, and the kind of little collectibles that make you say, “Okay, just one more look.”
That is the magic of POP MART. The store is built around surprise. You pick a series, choose a box, and do not know exactly which figure you are getting until you open it. For kids, collectors, and anyone who likes tiny weird/cute art toys, it is a dangerous amount of fun.
POP MART is especially known for characters like Labubu and The Monsters, along with lines like Molly, Skullpanda, and Dimoo. The designs range from adorable to strange to full-on “why do I suddenly need this?” energy.
Our son took the decision very seriously, which honestly made the whole visit better. After a lot of thought, comparison, and walking around the store, he picked a Big Into Energy Monster. It was the right kind of purchase: fun to choose, exciting to open, and cool enough that it immediately felt like a souvenir from the day.
That is what makes POP MART such a good fit for Crabtree. It is not just another store to walk through. It is an experience. You browse, debate, pick your favorite series, hope for the one you want, and then get the little surprise moment at the end.
For Raleigh, it is also just fun to see something this popular and pop-culture-heavy land locally. POP MART has become a major name in the blind box and designer toy world, and having a store here means local fans do not have to rely only on online drops or resale hunting.
POP MART at Crabtree Valley Mall is a great new stop for blind box toys, collectible figures, and kid-approved decision drama. Go in with a budget, because “just looking” may not survive contact with the cute monsters.
Fun write-up, and the line about the store being built around surprise really captures why POP MART has taken off. The blind box format turns a simple purchase into a small decision game, and your son weighing every series before settling on the Big Into Energy Monster is exactly the kind of experience the brand designs for.
What stands out to me about these figures is how much of the appeal comes from finish and material, not just character design. Labubu, Skullpanda and Dimoo each have a very distinct surface look: matte vinyl on some, glossy or pearlescent coatings on others, fuzzy plush textures on the newer Monsters lines. That attention to texture is a big part of why a two-inch figure can feel collectible rather than disposable, and it is something designers increasingly prototype digitally before anything goes to a factory.
It is also good to hear that having a physical store at Crabtree Valley Mall changes things for local fans. As you mention, relying on online drops and resale hunting can be frustrating, and resale prices for popular series have climbed a lot. Being able to browse in person, compare series side by side and see the actual paint and finish quality before buying is a real advantage.
Your advice to go in with a budget is probably the most practical tip in the post. The blind box loop of “just one more” is clearly intentional. Do you know whether the Crabtree store gets the same new releases on launch day as the bigger flagship locations, or do local collectors still need to watch online drops for the rarest series?