Huge Crowds Shut Down Build-A-Bear Promotion In White Marsh

WHITE MARSH, MD — If you haven't already visited the Build-A-Bear to "pay your age," it's too late. The toy store's one-day promotion created an overwhelming response that put a cap on the lines after noon.

The company is offering vouchers to those who visit its website or who were in line when the event was closed to additional guests.

Before 2:30 p.m., one customer reported that the Build-A-Bear in White Marsh was fresh out of bears.

THE ONE IN WHITE MARSH IS OUT OF BEARS
— Kristina (@krisholsapple) July 12, 2018

The phone was off the hook, so Patch could not independently verify that information about the bear supply. But Build-A-Bear locations across the country put a cutoff on the number of people in line after noon based on crowd concerns.

The pandemonium came in response to the toy company's special deal for Thursday: Get any "Make-Your-Own" furry friend for the price of a kid's age, as long as the child was in the store. Any 3-year-old could walk away with a bear — which normally costs $35 or so — for just $3.

It was part of company's launch of its new "Count Your Candles" Build-A-Bear birthday experience. But the promotion seemingly worked too well.

Here was the scene at White Marsh Mall, according to one mall-goer:

After scoping out the White Marsh Build-A-Bear, one man shared his vantage point:

Epic fail @buildabear White Marsh. Should've had a Build -A-Beer stand. Your loss is the @Disney Stores gain. #buildabear pic.twitter.com/2bPMj9Cxe0
— Kevin Raymond (@KCR1976) July 12, 2018

The company announced the lines were closed at all of its stores several hours after the event began due to safety and crowd concerns.

Build-A-Bear said that it was giving vouchers to guests who were in line that they could use for a future purchase.

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

Build-A-Bear Bonus Club members who log into their accounts by Sunday, July 15, can also get vouchers, which the company says will be honored until Aug. 31.

— By Patch editors Daniel Hampton, Elizabeth Janney and Kara Seymour

SEE ALSO:

• Huge Crowds Shut Down Build-A-Bear Promotion At Mall In Columbia
• Build-A-Bear Offers 'Pay Your Age' Day In White Marsh

Image via Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Build-A-Bear