Pop Mart, a global collectible toy retailer, has expanded its presence to Modesto with the installation of a Robo Shop vending machine at Vintage Faire Mall. The machine began operating on Friday, Oct. 10, and is located on the second floor outside Furniture City and Daniel’s Jewelry store. It offers a variety of Pop Mart’s popular characters, including Skullpanda, Molly, Dimoo, Crybaby, and Labubu from The Monsters series.
Pop Mart is known for its blind box toys—sealed packages that keep the identity of the toy inside a mystery until opened. This approach encourages collectors to purchase multiple boxes in hopes of obtaining their favorite figures or completing sets.
Founded in Beijing in 2010, Pop Mart has become a leading name in the blind box market with over $1.2 billion in global revenue. Its products are sold through more than 500 stores and 2,300 Robo Shop vending machines worldwide. The closest physical stores to Modesto are in Pleasanton and Sacramento.
Vintage Faire Marketing Manager Amy MacPhail said the addition is part of a broader agreement between mall operator Macerich and Pop Mart. “It includes Robo Shops at Vintage Faire, Fashion Fair in Fresno and Valley River Center Mall in Eugene, Oregon,” MacPhail stated. She added that the Modesto vending machine will remain for an initial 12-month term with possible extensions.
The vending machine accepts card payments and allows customers to browse available series using an interactive screen. Sample toys are displayed within a lighted case, and each machine can hold several hundred items at full capacity. There has been no announcement regarding restocking frequency or future product additions.
Authenticity is a concern among collectors; while some regional kiosks may sell similar toys, only purchases made through official Pop Mart channels—including Robo Shops—are guaranteed genuine. Each item comes with a QR code that can be scanned to verify authenticity.
Brianna Ochoa, who works at another mall store selling blind boxes, welcomed the new addition: “I saw the machine being added to the mall on TikTok, so I had to come and check it out.” She noted that many shoppers look for Labubus figures and she can now direct them to the vending machine.
Shoppers have reacted positively since the launch. One visitor remarked: “We have a Pop Mart now,” before sharing the news with her group.
More information about Pop Mart is available at www.popmart.com/us.
