The little vinyl collectibles known as Funko Pops are something of a polarizing subject in the nerd community. People seem to either really love them, or really despise them, without a whole lot in between. Personally, I initially thought that they looked a bit silly with their big heads and tiny bodies. But, eventually, Funko released a Pop of Harley Quinn, and it was like a gateway drug to what is now my pretty vast collection of Pops.
Therefore, it was pretty exciting when I discovered that their headquarters were located in Everett, Washington, which is just about twenty minutes from where I live. Situated in the heart of downtown Everett on Wetmore Avenue, the company’s flagship store, titled Funko HQ, opened its doors in 2017. Although the building is the site of their main offices, its bottom floor features a 17,000 square foot store which is unlike any store you’ve ever been in.
The store is split into different rooms which branch off from its central hub where the registers and special release Pops are located. Each room is devoted to a different theme – anime, DC, Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. There’s also a Disney area, a section for professional sports player and WWE wrestler Pops, and so much more. There’s even an area where you can create your own Pops (which I will definitely be doing next time I go because they didn’t have my perfect hair in stock yet, haha!). Somewhat recently, Funko also converted what was a conference room into a magical little area that features their original Wetmore Forest characters - adorable creatures that come in both Pop and plush form.
Magical is actually a perfect word to describe the entire store. I’ve been there a few times, and every time is just as exciting as the first time was. Part of the store’s charm is the larger-than-life Pops of various characters that are sprinkled throughout the store. You can pose next to the Hulk and Iron Man in his Hulkbuster Suit, Jack Skellington, Sailor Moon, Hagrid, Batman, Harley, and so many more.
Last week, I made a special trip to Funko HQ specifically to share this special place with all of you. So, without further ado, please enjoy some of the many photos that I took, because this is a place that truly needs to be seen to be believed.
Angela “LaLa” Rairden is an avid fan of comic books, Star Wars, and most things nerdy. A cosplayer, she loves to attend comic cons dressed as her favorite fictional characters, particularly Harley Quinn. Although her day job is at a grocery store, writing has always been her true calling. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she is currently writing her first novel.