The Hello Kitty Cafe opened at Westfield Valley Fair, marking the Bay Area's first character cafe. The opening coincides with the mall's $1.1 billion expansion, which aims to introduce 25 new stores and restaurants in 2025. Long lines of over 500 eager fans formed on opening day, indicating strong interest. Managing partner Urania Chien emphasized the cafe's goal of creating memories with Hello Kitty. The Bay Area's historical connection to Sanrio contributes to a high concentration of fans in the region.
"Our goal here is for people to make memories with each other, with Hello Kitty," Chien told San Jose Spotlight. "The more we can do that, the more we feel like we've succeeded."
Chien said Westfield Valley Fair is an ideal location since the larger mall helps fans have a broader experience, with so many other businesses.
The Hello Kitty Cafe opened Friday as the mall continues to bring new stores and different businesses into its $1.1 billion expansion.
The line of more than 500 fans snaked through the mall from the cafe entrance near Bloomingdales all the way down to Urban Outfitters and back.
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