Watch: Peek inside Vancouver's first Hello Kitty Café

It's kawaii, it's pink, and it's opening to the public on Friday, May 17.

Vancouver's first-ever Hello Kitty Café is ready to make its debut. After months of tremendous anticipation, mystery, and delays, the charming two-level treat shop at 1274 Robson St - decked to the gills in sweet Sanrio style - will be swirling soft serve into Hello Kitty-shaped taiyaki waffles alongside charming mini cakes and all sorts of coffee and tea drinks. 

Passers-by will no doubt track the bright pink signage and iconic Hello Kitty herself from the outside, but they can also watch those waffles being prepared in the cafe's front window.

Inside, a modest counter space shows all the café's precious cakes (tricked out with lots of Hello Kitty iconography) and staff await your order. The downstairs shelves are packed with merch, much of which is branded with Hello Kitty and even maple leaves and Vancouver's skyline. 

Those opting to dine in can follow the "Have a sweet day!" writing on the wall up a super pink staircase to a small seating area. 

Not surprisingly, the cafe is packed with perfect spots to strike a pose or two. 

With operations based in California, Sanrio's Hello Kitty Café currently has three iterations in the U.S. with two in Vegas and another in SoCal. They also operate Hello Kitty Cafe trucks that pop up in various locations in the United States. 

Vancouver's Hello Kitty Café franchisee Ken Lam says he is "very excited" to welcome everyone to the new shop. 

Vancouver’s first Hello Kitty Cafe officially opens on May 17. We got a sneak peek inside the kawaii pink treat shop where they serve coffee, tea and treats like cakes and taiyaki filled with ice cream. Lots of merch too.

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