Stuffing Hits The Fan As Kids Swarm Build-A-Bear Workshops

BRANDON, FL -- Build-A-Bear Workshops' first Pay Your Age Day proved to be an overwhelming success, literally.

Taking the Build-A-Bear company and their mall landlords by surprise, thousands of parents with kids in tote converged on Build-A-Bear's 400 stores around the world Thursday, July 12 for the opportunity to pay as little as $3 for a make-it-yourself teddy bear that normally costs $35.

Unable to handle the sheer volume of people, Build-A-Bear was forced to turn customers away.

The company issued the following apology around 3:30 p.m.:

"Our first-ever Pay Your Age Day event generated an overwhelming response resulting in long lines, extensive waits and disappointed guests. We understand that many guests were turned away due to safety concerns created by the crowds when authorities in certain locations closed Build-A-Bear stores or we were forced to limit the line. Given these circumstances we were unable to serve all of our guests for the event. In response, we distributed vouchers to guests who were present in line to be redeemed for a future purchase and have now made vouchers available to all U.S. and Canadian Bonus Club members which must be screen shot or printed by logging into your account before midnight on 15 July. We encourage all of our valued guests to visit our full statement at the following link and we’d like to reiterate our sincerest thanks for your passion and continued support."

The promotion was part of a nationwide celebration of the company's launch of the Build-A-Bear "Count Your Candles" birthday experience.

At Westfield Brandon, an estimated 3,000 people showed up for the promotion as early as 7 a.m., eventually cramming both wings of the mall. Shoppers reported similar lines in Clearwater and Wesley Chapel.

Keri O'Donnell was among the mothers who braved the crowds for a chance to get a stuffed critter for her 16-month-old daughter, Kyla. The mother and daughter arrived around 9:30 a.m. to find a quickly expanding crowd.

"I was really floored over the crowd this morning," she said. "I thought I was smart getting here early, and I don't know what I was thinking. I really wanted to get Kyla a unicorn and thought the deal was great."

Her early arrival did prove to be an advantage. Around 2:30 p.m., Build-A-Bear told a long line of waiting customers behind her that they were being turned away.

O'Donnell and Kyla made the cut and were able to continue waiting in line. At 4:30 p.m., O'Donnell finally caught sight of Build-A-Bear's storefront and figured she had only another hour to wait.

"Now, after standing for seven-plus hours with a 16-month-old, I'm regretting every minute of staying but I'm staying because I have been here all day," she said. "That, and I'll hit up PINK afterwards to get sale panties."

Images via Keri O'Donnell