First videogame franchise store
- Who
- The Pokémon Company
- What
- First
- Where
- Japan (Tokyo)
- When
- 1998
After being introduced to the world in 1996, the Pokémon franchise had grown in popularity to such an extent that in 1998 a dedicated store was opened in Tokyo, Japan. The Pokémon Center, similar to Disney Store, sold Pokémon merchandise that included limited-edition Game Boy consoles and plush toys alongside figurines, backpacks, clothing and soundtrack CDs. More Pokémon Centers have since opened in major cities across Japan and the USA.
The opening of the first Pokémon Center was indicative of the Pokémon Company's confidence in the franchise's longevity.