Gundam's New Official US Store Finally Gets Opening Date After Last-Minute Cancellation

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Bandai has officially announced a new opening date for its second permanent Gundam Base store in the United States, following the unexpected cancellation of its planned grand opening last month.

“THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis” will open at Minnesota’s Mall of America, giving American Gunpla collectors another dedicated destination for exclusive model kits, limited-edition merchandise, and other Gundam products.

The Gundam Base is Bandai’s official retail network dedicated to Gundam plastic models, commonly known as Gunpla, with stores offering a wide selection of kits alongside exclusive releases, building accessories and displays celebrating the franchise.

Bandai’s US expansion began with the opening of its first permanent Gundam Base in Chicago in December 2025, followed by plans to establish additional locations in Minneapolis and Seattle during 2026.

The Minneapolis store was originally scheduled to open on September 30, alongside a new Bandai Namco Cross Store offering merchandise from several of Bandai’s other major franchises.

However, Bandai unexpectedly postponed the grand opening on September 26, just four days before the stores were due to welcome their first customers.

The last-minute announcement left fans uncertain about when the new location would open, particularly those who had already made travel arrangements to attend the celebrations.

Bandai didn’t provide a specific reason for the postponement, instead promising to announce a replacement date once arrangements had been finalized.

The latest announcement from Gundam’s official North American social media channels now confirms that the Minneapolis location will open at the end of October, ending nearly a month of uncertainty surrounding its launch.

Visitors can expect a selection of Gundam Base-exclusive Gunpla alongside standard retail kits, with displays and other attractions designed for both experienced builders and fans discovering the hobby for the first time.

Bandai previously announced three limited-edition kits for the store’s grand opening:

“MG 1/100 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED RX-78-2 Ver. 3.0 [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]”

MG 1100 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED RX 78 2 Ver. 3.0 [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]

A special Gundam Base-colored edition of the original RX-78-2 Gundam in Master Grade format.

“RG 1/144 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED WING GUNDAM ZERO EW [CLEAR COLOR]”

RG 1144 THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED WING GUNDAM ZERO EW [CLEAR COLOR]

A transparent armor version of the Wing Gundam Zero EW from Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz.

“HaroPla THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED HARO [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]”

HaroPla THE GUNDAM BASE LIMITED HARO [THE GUNDAM BASE COLOR]

A Gundam Base-themed version of the franchise’s popular Haro mascot.

These are existing Gundam Base-exclusive models rather than newly developed kits, though this fresh availability gives American collectors another opportunity to purchase releases that are not stocked through regular hobby retailers.

The original grand opening plans also included a clear Gundam Base-branded fanny pack for customers spending $100 or more, although Bandai has yet to reconfirm whether the promotion will remain unchanged for the revised opening.

The neighboring Bandai Namco Cross Store was also affected by September’s postponement and Bandai has now officially confirmed that the store will open on the same date as The Gundam Base Minneapolis.

Bandai’s wider US expansion also includes a planned Gundam Base location at Westfield Southcenter in the Seattle area, with further opening details still to be announced for that particular store.

“THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis” is now officially scheduled to open on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Mall of America, 102 East Broadway, Bloomington, Minnesota 55425.