Just when you thought the Bay Area couldn’t get any quirkier, a new obsession is sweeping through our tech-savvy streets: Labubu monsters. These adorably creepy collectible plushies are causing chaos at local toy stores, with hipster millennials and Gen Z collectors lining up before sunrise to snag these mysterious blind box treasures.

Designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, these tiny monsters were inspired by Nordic folklore and are now sparking a global phenomenon that’s got everyone from Berkeley tattoo artists to Silicon Valley nerds totally hooked. “I’ve always loved cute and kind of creepy little creatures,” says Nikaela Bradford, a local tattoo artist who’s already designing Labubu-inspired ink.

The Blind Box Craze

The real magic of Labubu lies in its unpredictability. Each blind box is a surprise, meaning you never know which adorable monster you’ll get - and that’s precisely what’s driving people wild. Pop Mart, the company behind these collectibles, has seen a staggering 350% profit increase, proving that scarcity and mystery are marketing gold.

Where to Score Your Own Monster

If you’re dying to join the Labubu cult, local stores like Five Little Monkeys in Albany and Fugitive Toys in Burlingame are your best bet. Pro tip: call ahead, because these little monsters sell out faster than avocado toast at a brunch spot. Prices range from $27.99 to a whopping $69.99 for rare finds - because apparently, we’ll pay anything for cute chaos.

Whether you’re a collector or just want to flex on your Instagram, Labubu is the Bay Area’s latest obsession that proves we’ll always find a way to make the mundane magnificently weird.