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

NEW YORK, NY — The owners of Build-A-Bear Workshops, where people around the world build their own stuffed versions of the animal, thought it would be a good idea to run a promotion deeply discounting prices at all its locations. As it turns out, the idea wasn't merely good — it was great. So great in attracting business, in fact, that the results were really, really bad.

There are long lines, such as those you might find at Walmart, that are irritating. Then there are Disney World-size lines that make you question your own reality.

Build-A-Bear Workshops on Thursday saw comically long, Disney World-size lines. The toy company ended up turning away hordes of customers Thursday after so many people arrived at its locations that the company feared for "crowd and safety concerns."

Build-A-Bear is overwhelmed with customers they have cut the line off at Chandler Mall in Arizona they are asking people not to come... They have handed out $15 off dollar coupons. #12News #BuildABear #Longlines pic.twitter.com/aAptX3vbDt
— PhillipMathews (@PhillipMathews) July 12, 2018

The toy company was offering quite the deal: Any "Make-Your-Own" furry friend available in the store could be bought 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.

No wonder the stuffing hit the fan.

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

But the promotion seemingly worked too well.

Photos posted on social media showed lines stretching out the door at stores across the country. Some said they had been waiting in lines for hours, prompting Build-A-Bear to take action.

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

Build-A-Bear Workshop has more than 400 stores worldwide, including one at the Rockaway Mall in New Jersey where one visitor gave those thinking of visiting a simple message: Fuhgeddaboutit.

"If anyone is going to Build-a-Bear at the Rockaway Mall, don't, seriously the most ridiculous event ever. They only let like 10 people in at a time due to the fire marshal, and when someone comes out they don't let someone in. Seriously furious at this point and when I try to leave the girls freak out!" one mom shared online.

Jessica Rodriguez-Aquino told Patch that employees in Edison, New Jersey, were distributing $15 off coupons, good until Aug. 4, as lines wrapped around the parking deck.

"[My daughter] is 2, so trying to explain what was happening was a bit tricky," she said.

In White Marsh, Maryland, one user perfectly summed up the pandemonium: "Come build a bear at your own risk."

Social media users complained that the so-called "Pay Your Age” promotion was poorly executed. Some said that if it's held again in the future, changes would have to be made, including possibly implementing a lottery system, designating pickup times or passing out numbers.

WHOA. Loooong line at the #RogersAR @buildabear for the pay your age promotion. Are you there? What’s the wait like? #NWAnews #NWArk #ARnews #BuildABear pic.twitter.com/BufdH8vmDk
— Lisa Brence (@theLovelyLisaB) July 12, 2018

Twitter user @aussieroo7 tweeted there were "hundreds of kids lined up all through the second floor of the mall" at his build a bear location.

"I’ve never seen so many kids," he tweeted.

Another user complained her children were upset when they were turned away.

"This is great that parents get their kids excited to go to your store and yet an hour before they open you cancel it?Figure out a different way to organize the event if you can’t even open the store. I have 3 upset kids and a ruined day," tweeted user @danielle_lemons.

A tip of the cap to those Moms and Dads braving the crowds in Johnson City for the Build-A-Bear Workshop event! @EngelsAngle will have more on News 5 WCYB. pic.twitter.com/4NCTxpimaz
— News 5 WCYB (@news5wcyb) July 12, 2018

Patch reporter Feroze Dhanoa and Todd Richissin contributed to this article.

Photo credit: Jeannine Reilly of Brick, published with permission