Hello Kitty store permanently closed at Universal Orlando, new café and shop opening in Hollywood
A Hello Kitty café and Sanrio retail location will open at Universal CityWalk near Hollywood, Calif. in the same week that Universal Studios Florida in Orlando closed its own Hello Kitty store.
Universal CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood will open two Hello Kitty-themed establishments on Sept. 6, 2024: a dining location called Hello Kitty and Friends Café and a retail location called Sanrio Smile Shop.
The opening comes just days after Universal Studios Florida abruptly closed its Hello Kitty store, along with the adjacent UNIVRS and Betty Boop stores.
Hello Kitty store closed in Orlando
The first week of September, Universal Studios Florida park crews installed black curtains along every window of the connected storefronts of the Hello Kitty store, the Betty Boop store, and UNIVRS. The closure is permanent.
Universal told Attractions Magazine in a statement:
The adjoining Hello Kitty, Betty Boop, and UNIVRS merchandise locations in Universal Studios Florida have closed to make way for an exciting new retail experience. Stay tuned — more details will be shared soon.
A sign on the door reads, “Please pardon our dust as we prepare for a new experience.” Florida’s Hello Kitty shop first opened in 2016.
Photos by Matt Roseboom
Hello Kitty still appears in person for character greetings, as reported by Adventuring with Annie. Additionally, merchandise for Hello Kitty, Betty Boop, and UNIVRS is all still available on Universal Orlando’s online store.
Hello Kitty and Friends Café opening in Hollywood
The bakery-style Hello Kitty and Friends Café at Universal CityWalk in California serves desserts and specialty drinks.
Dessert menu
- Hello Kitty Mousse Dome
- Seasonal Mousse Domes
- Strawberry Cake
- Berry & Cream Churro
- Birthday Cake
- Macaron Set
- Hello Kitty Cookie
Drink menu
- Hello Kitty Strawberry Green Iced Tea
- My Melody Lemonade
- Kuromi Berry Iced Tea
- Tuxedosam Lemonade
- Keroppi Matcha Latte
- Chococat Frozen Mocha
Sanrio Smile Shop opening in Hollywood
Sanrio Smile Shop (named after Hello Kitty’s parent company) is located directly next door to the café at the west-coast CityWalk. The store sells plush toys, hats, jewelry, Spirit Jerseys, backpacks, and more, all themed to Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Keroppi, Kuromi, My Melody, Badtz-maru, and Chococat.
Hello Kitty merchandise is also available within the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park itself, at the Animation Studio Store.
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