Seaford Couple Inspired to Launch Stuffed Animal Business

Just more than six months ago, Tony and Michele Spinelli of Seaford weren’t aware that a visit to the Build-A-Bear workshop with their 7-year-old daughter would have such a profound impact on them.

Mr. Spinelli was impressed with how much the kids in the store enjoyed making the bears and being a part of the process. He told his wife that it would be great if they could bring that same joy of making a stuffed animal to people’s homes and parties. After some research that’s exactly what happened.

The Spinelli’s now run Animaland Express. The business brings different animals to stuff and dress for any type of event including birthday parties, school functions, holiday parties and fundraisers.

Along with Michele and Tony, their two children, Nicholas and Sophia have helped the business through ideas and opinions. The two often attend parties to help their parents.

Although the idea to run “Animaland Express” was sparked by the Build-A-Bear visit, Michele Spinelli says there is a significant difference between the two.

“We try not to compare ourselves to Build-A-Bear,” she said. “We want to be Animaland Express, we want to be the mobile stuff-an-animal company. Animaland Express is its own entity, we have such a variety of animals and we can bring it to any environment that you have your party in.”

Spinelli also added that the company is able to personalize each party and create themes to go along with whatever the party host wants.

Despite the fact that the business has just started, the Spinelli’s have started to use “Animaland Express” as a means of helping various charities. Recently, “Animaland Express” donated its resources and time to the Education & Assistance Corp’s (EAC) “Just for Dads” program. The program helps non-custodial parents become fully involved in their children’s lives. Parents and their children were able to further interact with one another by making stuffed animals.

Taking part in charity work has become second nature to the Spinelli’s since they have strongly believed in giving back to the community.

“I always told my wife that I wanted to do something that would help children,” Tony Spinelli said. “I guess we our niche in Animaland Express.”

For more information on Animaland Express, visit their website.