Where to (authentically) get into the blind box buzz in Canberra

Posted on 12 March, 2026

They have collectors in a chokehold, and the blind box buzz isn’t dying down.

In 2025, Labubus took over social media feeds – and by extension, the world. Whether you love or hate them, the polarising plushie was the ultimate must-have item; attached to bags, displayed on shelves and clipped to keys

And as the mania grew, so did the popularity of the blind box concept.

Enter a resurgence in toys that have been around for years – Crybaby, SKULLPANDA, Smiski and Sonny Angels – all sealed up in cute packages, so you don’t know which you’re getting.

Addictive? Very.

But with popularity comes scarcity and from there comes scams. With Lafufus appearing for sale in the most unassuming places, it’s becoming harder to tell the monsters from the imposters.

However, one Canberra local has brought his own version of Pop Mart to Braddon, fully leaning into the whimsical world of collectables – and everything they stock is 100 percent authentic.

Bing recently opened VALORHYPE on Lonsdale Street, bringing a small slice of collectable culture to the already buzzy neighbourhood.

Long time lovers of collectibles and trending toys, their journey began online in early 2024, when he noticed the growing popularity of designer toys and blind boxes and built a website to test the market.

“We were surprised by how many online orders we received – especially from customers in Canberra,” says Bing.

“We also had local customers reaching out and asking if we had a physical store.”

With encouragement from friends, Bing trialled selling blind boxes in a small physical space in London Circuit, inside what was Hola Café.

The timing was kismet – they brought in stock just as the Labubu wave hit Canberra, and the potential of a dedicated physical store quickly became clear.

“We rebranded to VALORHYPE to reflect our focus on collectibles, blind boxes, and hype culture. Instead of being part café, part toy space, we wanted to fully commit to being Canberra’s go-to destination for blind boxes and trending collectibles,” explains Bing.

“Braddon felt like the perfect location – it’s vibrant, busy, and surrounded by fashion and lifestyle stores that align with our audience.”

Stocking everything from Pop Mart favourites like Hacipupu, DIMOO,  and (of course) Labubu as well Crybaby, SKULLPANDA, Smiski and Sonny Angels, thy also stock designer toys and Pokémon cards.

All source directly from official stores and authorised websites globally, Bing says that’s the main reason their loyal customers trust them.

We never compromise on authenticity,” he says.

“We aim to keep our pricing fair and aligned with market rates, so customers know they’re getting genuine products at reasonable prices.”

Grateful for the support from the Canberra community – many of which are repeat customers – VALORHYPE isn’t just a toy store.

Always talking with customers to see what toy they’re excited about, for Bing, it’s really about connection.

“It’s about building a community, interacting with customers, and bringing in items they genuinely love,” explains Bing.

“The mystery is part of the fun. It’s not just about buying a toy; it’s about the experience. We love sharing those moments with customers – whether it’s unboxing together in-store or hearing them come back and tell us what they pulled last time. That excitement is what makes it special.”