By Gary Symons
TLL Editor-in-Chief
If you like your coffee extra sweet and with an extra hit of compassion, you’re going to love the new Care-A-Lot by Care Bears Cafe in Monterrey, Mexico.
The opening of the world’s first Care Bears Cafe drew thousands of fans during its opening weekend, Oct. 16-17, at the experiential destination Galerías Monterrey.
Developed in partnership with bee·group, the colorful new concept brings together themed food and beverage, character experiences, official merchandise, and interactive moments, inviting children, families, and lifelong fans to step inside the world of Care-A-Lot. The opening also comes as the Care Bears brand celebrates its landmark 45th anniversary, and its first year under the guidance of new brand owner Authentic Brands Group.
“For nearly 45 years, Care Bears has reminded us that kindness, friendship, and caring for one another can make the world a better place,” said Simon Philips, EVP, Character Brands at Authentic Brands Group. “With Care-A-Lot, we are bringing that spirit into the real world, creating a place where people can share experiences and enjoy what makes Care Bears special. Mexico is our starting point, and we see tremendous potential to bring this concept to fans around the world.”
Philips said the opening weekend was a great success, as the cafe welcomed nearly 4,000 visitors. Fans lined up for more than four hours to experience the destination.
“The strong turnout offers an early indication of demand for Care Bears experiences that extend beyond traditional entertainment and consumer products,” ABG said.
That long wait was rewarded as fans were welcomed by larger-than-life Care Bears figures, vibrant rainbow installations, and colorful spaces that bring the brand’s characters and world to life. The café features a menu of character-inspired treats, including Care Bears mini cakes, rainbow-themed desserts, milkshakes, and specialty beverages, alongside a dedicated retail area offering official merchandise, collectibles, and accessories.
ABG says early sales results have revealed how fans are engaging with the concept across categories. Character-inspired mini cakes have emerged as the café’s best-selling dessert, the company said, while Grumpy Bear has led merchandise sales, demonstrating the opportunity to translate character affinity into both food and beverage purchases and licensed products.
Families have also been combining café purchases with merchandise, highlighting the potential of an integrated dining and retail experience to encourage cross-category spending.
Live character appearances proved to be a major draw, with ABG saying some guests waited for hours for the opportunity to meet their favorite Care Bears. Together with interactive photo moments and shareable installations, ABG said these experiences have helped extend the destination’s reach beyond Galerías Monterrey, encouraging fans to create and share their own content online.
In fact, the experience generated more than 2.2 million Instagram views in its first week of operation, alongside hundreds of fan-created videos shared across social media. The destination’s Instagram and Facebook presence gained more than 11,000 followers in one week, which ABG says reflects the growing enthusiasm surrounding the opening.
Philips noted this opening comes as Care Bears prepares to celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2027, a milestone year that he says will represent an exciting new chapter for the brand. ABG is planning new licensing collaborations around the world, and more ways for fans to connect with the Care Bears characters.
As the first international destination for the concept, ABG says the Care-A-Lot by Care Bears Café establishes a foundation for future location-based entertainment opportunities. Similar cafes are expected to open in locations around the world, combining experiential storytelling, food and beverage, and licensed retail in a format designed to evolve through seasonal programming, new products, and character-led experiences.
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