Hello Kitty Cafe Truck rolls into Portland for 50th anniversary

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A pink truck bearing the likeness of an iconic cartoon cat rolled in to Washington Square Saturday morning, delighting adults and children alike.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is currently embarking on its U.S. tour, celebrating two milestones this year: The truck’s 10th anniversary and Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary.

Customers lined up in droves in the Washington Square parking lot to choose from special apparel, collectibles, as well as sweet treats including a giant Hello Kitty cookie.

Carla Britt waited over two and a half hours in line for a chance at the big cookie and a commemorative shirt.

“I like Hello Kitty, the Hello Kitty friends, and I like the clothing line, and she’s really cute. And I have all her stuffed animals at home, and I just like how she shakes it,” she said with a laugh.

Since her creation by Yuko Shimizu in 1974 and first official appearance in March 1975, the Hello Kitty franchise has spawned all kinds of media, including animated shows, theme parks, clothing, accessories, toys, childrens’ books and more. The iconic white cat was even appointed Japan’s ambassador of tourism in 2008.

Hello Kitty’s net worth is now estimated to be around $80 billion.

In case you missed out on the truck’s goodies this time around, it will next make a stop at the Clackamas Town Center in Happy Valley on May 24.