Founded in 1997 in St Louis, USA, Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a make-your-own-stuffed animal retail entertainment experience. Along with this unique approach to the retail industry, the teddy bear theme is carried throughout the store with original teddy bear fixtures, murals and artwork.
Guests attending a workshop go through the processes of 'Choose Me', 'Hear Me', 'Stuff Me', 'Stitch Me', 'Fluff Me', 'Dress Me', 'Name Me' and finally, 'Take Me Home', whereby they pick their own bear to make and personlise with sound chips, clothing, a name and birthdate. Barcodes are even inserted in the bear so they can be easily reunited with their owner should they ever get lost. The floor staff, known as Bear Builder associates, are there to assist throughout the creative process.
Build-A-Bear Workshop also caters for groups, and offers a Build-A-Party experience which includes birthday parties, company outings and family reunions – allowing guests of 3 to 103 to discover or rediscover their inner child.
Build-A-Bear Workshop plans to open over 20 stores in South Africa over the next 5 years, but until then, find the workshop at shop U95, Sandton City, next to Woolworths on the upper level.
