Funko is heading to Hollywood.
The purveyor of pop culture collectibles and consumer products is in just about every retail outlet possible, and now it’s expanding upon its own. Following the 2017 opening of its first Funko store at the company headquarters in Everett, Washington, a second location is set to open in Los Angeles later this year.
Walking the aisles at Toy Fair New York this year, nearly everyone was familiar with Funko’s famous line of Pop! vinyl figures, but some seemed to lack awareness to the fact that Funko is more than figures — and the company is conscious of that. In a statement, Funko says that “the new space will broaden company awareness and display the breadth of Funko product and content providers that the brand carries.”
“It was a no-brainer to open our second retail location in the television and film mecca of the world – Hollywood,” says Brian Mariotti, chief executive officer at Funko. “We couldn’t be more excited to have a presence among the most influential production studios and creative talent delivering pop culture content.”
Indeed, Funko is a company built on the strength of Hollywood partnerships, with agreements in place to produce products for almost any fandom — from the mainstream to the obscure. Offerings include vinyl collectibles, action figures, bobbleheads, housewares, plush, and even fashion accessories with the Loungefly brand. Marking another step in diversifying, Funko recently acquired Forrest-Pruzan Creative, a Seattle-based design studio focusing on board games.
The nearly 40,000 square foot Funko Store will be located on Hollywood Boulevard in the new Eastown development — minutes from the Hollywood Pantages Theater, Dolby Theatre, El Capitan, and TLC Chinese Theater.
While nothing has been officially confirmed, rumors of a future “Funko movie” continue to surface on a regular basis. In Hollywood, anything is possible.
