Would you go to a physical BJD store?

Would you go to it?
I totally would! Sounds super fun!

What would you expect to find there?
A variety of sculpts in varying colors and sizes for customers to get a feel for what they are ordering. I wish I could have held a doll in my hands before ordering so I had a better idea for size, most companies don't include photos with a human model or owner photos.
Also wigs, clothes, fabrics with tiny prints and some sewing supllies (Patterns and maybe some fashion books too for ideas), customizations tools (pastels, MSC, tiny brushes), etc.

What would you want it to have?
I like an earlier posited idea of an adjacent café, and/or photography studio, so one can play with some of the dolls on-site and socialize with other enthusiasts.

Would you be fine with it having other hobbies in there too?
Depends on the hobbies, but perhaps some other doll brands such as American Girl or Barbie would fit right in among the other dolls. Plus perhaps some local art dolls or rotating displays from various vendors.

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??
I have not D:

 

Yes! I've been to the VOLKs store when it was still open in Los Angeles, and it was so beautiful. I was still in high school then and didn't know much about BJDs, so it was absolutely enchanting. I couldn't buy much, but my dad did buy me a pair of white mary-jane MSD shoes

Sadly that store is no longer around, but my husband and I have discussed visiting Colorado sometime next year for vacation and stopping by Denver Doll Emporium while we're there. We don't tend to travel far much (though one could argue Colorado isn't that far from California), and I'm pretty excited! I only wish I could find some reviews from those who've been there to get a better idea of what it's like. I know it's not huge or anything and the selection will be pretty limited, but it's still something to definitely look forward to.

 

I actually went to 1 many years ago in my country way b4 i started collecting! Now there are no more doll shop in my country but i would love to visit 1 soon!

 

I would definitely go! It would be wonderful to see some of these dolls in person because sometimes the size is difficult to envision from the pictures.

 

I would LOVE to go to a bjd store. I'd want it to have dolls, wigs, clothes, and other things for the dolls you may need. The one thing I'd love about a store setting is being able to see the doll before you buy. Because photos may make the doll look beautiful but you really get a feel for the doll once you see it.

 

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??

I HAVE gone to a BJD store! I live in Denver so Denver Doll Emporium is only a 15 or 20 minute drive away from me. It's actually sort of a problem because I always have the temptation to go buy one of their in-stock dolls LOLOL. Plus I wouldn't have to pay shipping for it since I could just do in-store pick up.

It's smaller than I was expecting which actually makes sense, since BJDs are a pretty niche hobby. Most of their stuff is behind the counter in their back rooms. But they do have have a ton of wigs, eyes, and clothes that you can look through and buy if you want, and they have a few books for sale and even some patterns for BJD clothing!

The people working there are super nice too. I went with my friend and we both mentioned to one of the women working there that we had recently both ordered Doll Chateau BJDs and that we had never seen one in real life. She told us she actually did have a Doll Chateau doll in-stock, and asked if we wanted to see it. Of course we wanted to!! She was so nice, she got it out and showed it to us and everything. It was awesome.

I ended up buying a wig for one of my Pullip dolls but that's it. The only reason I haven't really gone back yet is because I'm afraid I'd go crazy buying accessories or even a full doll X'D

They also told us about a local doll group that does meetups fairly often and I went to one and made a bunch of new friends.

Anyway I'd recommend totally going to one if you have one nearby~ it's super awesome to see them all on display and talk to the owners about the hobby! And you might even find some new friends

@InkyBear Just saw your comment about DDE - here you go! I'd totally recommend checking it out if you have the time!!

 

I would love to start up a physical bid shop along with my boutique I want to open one day but I don't know if there would be much interest in the U.K?

 

I wish they had physical stores! I'd love to go in and actually be able to see products in person. Sometimes seeing a doll in person is a huge help in figuring out if you want it. Be amazing if they offered faceup and repair too.

 

I would love to go to a physical BJD store! I collect for American Girl, and I've always felt like going to their stores is a pretty incredible experience. I imagine going to a BJD store would be much the same way.

 

I did, it's where I got my first and only doll currently. It was really fun and I would love to go back

 

I haven't been, but I would like to go. I'm hoping to go see one next year when I go to Japan.

 

Would you go to it?
Yes. I'd be stopping by any such store at least once a month, more often depending on what they have in stock. If they offer things like props, furniture or even patterns and cloth for sewing I'd be a frequent visitor.

What would you expect to find there?
I'd want to see at least a decent range of dolls, nude and full sets. Various makers and dolls of nearly every size available, everything from sd to msd and minis. They'd need to have a good selection clothing and shoes for all those dolls sizes and preferably for both genders. I've noticed a rather unfair slant in the amount of girls clothes versus boys clothes. As I mentioned above it'd be nice if they offered props, maybe furniture.
Another good thing to have would be plenty of things like silicon joint pads, wig caps, doll carrier bags, stands, stringing supplies. Doll upkeep essentials.
Stuff like MSC and things that can be used for blushing, repair and face ups would be a must too.
What would you want it to have?
Ideally I'd want it to be a one stop BJD Emporium. All the essentials, plus tons of extras like accessories, props, dioramas and backdrops, patterns for sewing and a fabric section.

Would you be fine with it having other hobbies in there too?
The store I envision would double up well as a craft store with a large focus on dolls in general. It could cater to Barbie and Ken dolls, 18 inch dolls like American Girl or anything else. It could also offer stuff for things like model building.

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??
I have not. Woe is me....

 

Yeah it would be great to go to a bjd store!! That way you could go see the dolls as they are and not a photoshopped edited image or an image that has adjusted lighting!

 

If you had a physical store devoted to BJD in your area:

Would you go to it? Hell yes! =D

What would you expect to find there? Lot's of BJDs and stuff for them

What would you want it to have? BJD stuff

Would you be fine with it having other hobbies in there too? Yes

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it?? Never been to one though
I do plan on going to Japan or Korean when I'm older. Maybe I'll stop by one. :3

 

Would you go to it?
If I could I would go to it every weekend just to window shop until I could purchase something!

What would you expect to find there?
Dolls from different companies that are in stock, clothes, wigs, and accessories.

What would you want it to have?
Supplies for wig making, clothes, and face-ups.

Would you be fine with it having other hobbies in there too?
Of course! It would introduce people to other hobbies that they might get into as well.

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??
I wish I have. I heard there was one in Los Angeles but it's no longer there... if it was I would go there in a heartbeat!

 

Would you go to it?

I just found out there is one on the same little island I live on, and I really want to go.

What would you expect to find there?

Lots of clothes and wigs, probably, but I happen to know the owner makes original sculpts too.

What would you want it to have?

Everything I just listed above, I just want to see the art in person.

Would you be fine with it having other hobbies in there too?

That would be cute, I love hobby stores of all kind.

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??

I wish.

 

Oh yes, would love it, i expect dolls, clothes, and hobby stuff for sale....
Been to a doll gair some weeks ago and it was awesome.... Talking to lots of people,
Showing your bj's....would be bad for my purse do...

 

I’ve been to one when I was in Korea.
The staff was really friendly but I didn’t buy anything since they did not have the eyes that I was looking for.

 

Would you go to it?
If it was in an area near-ish to me, or near to where I'm already traveling, then definitely! But I'm not sure I'd physically travel super far for a store...

What would you expect to find there?
Probably a few different sculpts, and lots of accessories or clothing options.

What would you want it to have?
The stuff above, but also furniture?? Finding doll furniture can be such a pain.

Would you be fine with it having other hobbies in there too?
I think that would be fine, as long as they didn't clash too much.

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??
The closest I've been to a physical 'store' is a dealer's booth at a few different conventions. They certainly did have a nice variety of things, but they definitely focused more on clothing and accessories, and only had a handful of actual sculpts for sale.

 

If you have been to a physical bjd store, how was it??


I've been at...
Sadol&Friends @Busan, Korea
Volks Showroom @Yokohama, Japan
Volks Showroom @Akihabara(Tokyo), Japan
DOLK TOKYO @Akihabara, Japan
a BJD dealer shop @Akihabara, Japan
and, a BJD dealer shop @Yokohama, Japan

All were great, except the dealer shop locating at Yokohama - I was even upset with their attitude, so bad.

At Sadol&Friends, the photozone was available to everyone, for free.
They was treating various sizes of BJD dolls, all stuffs and tools from various companies as well.
Not sure for these days, but I'll go there in this winter. So excited!


And now, I want to go to...
Cafe Nine9 @Seoul, Korea
Freedomteller (A BJD shop with cafe? not sure) @Seoul, Korea
Volks Tenshi no Mado @Harajuku(Tokyo), Japan
Volks Tenshi no Sato @Kyoto, Japan