Build-A-Bear Workshop Turns Away Customers At Willowbrook Mall

WAYNE, NJ — Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Willowbrook Mall is no longer accepting customers at its stores due to the overwhelming response of its "pay your age" promotion.

Any Make-Your-Own stuffed animal was available in a store could be bought for the price of a child's age, so a 1-year-old would pay $1, a 12-year-old $12.

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

Local authorities required the Willowbrook personnel to limit the lines and crowds due to safety concerns, a notice on the mall's Facebook page stated.

"We understand this is disappointing, we are working to address the situation, and we will reach out to our valued guests soon," the post states.

Build-A-Bear issued a statement shortly after Willowbrook posted on Facebook saying it closed lines at all of its 400 stores nationwide.

"We have closed lines in our U.S. stores," the company said in a release. "We understand some of our guests are disappointed and we will reach out directly as soon as possible."

Photo credit: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for Build-A-Bear