America's first Hello Kitty Cafe just opened - and people are already obsessed
Dressed to the nines, fans from as far as the East Coast gathered to witness the debut of America's first Hello Kitty Cafe.
Shaye Shortridge was among one of the hundreds of enthusiasts. "I think it's really special because nothing like this has ever been in California," she told Los Angeles CBS. "Usually to get something like this, you have to go to Japan."
The fictional character that originated in Japan has won the hearts of millions of people for the past 40 years, overcoming age and cultural differences.
Hello Kitty Cafe attracted over 200 visitors on the first day, and the fandom has only increased since its launch. Nearly 50,000 have liked the cute outpost's Facebook page, and its Instagram page already amassed over 73,000 followers.
The adorable pop-up venue is actually a steel shipping container that has been bedazzled in Hello Kitty's signature aesthetics, with lots of pink.
Customers can order at the counter and dine in the patio.
There are sweet drinks like strawberry mint lemonade, as well as classics like iced coffee... all with bright pink straws, of course.
Desserts are all Hello Kitty-approved, like rainbow sprinkled cakes and fruit tarts topped with her signature red bow.
Even the coffee has been Hello Kitty-fied.
The café plans to remain open at the Irvine location for a year.