Press Release

ST. LOUIS, Mar 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Build-A-Bear Workshop^®, the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today that it is offering support for the relief efforts in Japan. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is contributing $25,000 to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund to aid the children and families affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The company is also inviting Guests to support the disaster relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami in the Pacific by making a donation to the American Red Cross via a link at buildabear.com. Guests in Canada will be able to support the Canadian Red Cross, and Guests in the United Kingdom are able to support to the British Red Cross. Build-A-Bear Workshop stores around the world are also collecting funds for local agencies to support these relief efforts.

"Our hearts go out to the children and families of Japan who have been affected by this terrible tragedy," said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive bear. "We are proud to support the Red Cross and to provide a helping paw to those in need."

Build-A-Bear Workshop has had a presence in Japan since 2004. Currently, there are nine franchisee stores in Japan operated by the company's franchise partners. There are approximately 60 associates who work in the Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and general offices, and all of them are safe. Five of the nine stores are located within malls that have been temporarily closed due to earthquake and tsunami damage. Build-A-Bear Workshop fully expects that these stores will reopen as the centers are repaired and deemed safe.

Build-A-Bear Workshop and its associates believe in the teddy bear philosophy of being good people and good bears. Throughout its 14 year history, the company with heart has shared the hug of a teddy bear wherever needed in local communities and abroad. Build-A-Bear Workshop has given Guests a voice in supporting the causes that are important to them like children's health and wellness, animals, literacy and has given more than $30 million through its corporate donations and foundation grant programs to these causes.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Mexico. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball^® mascot in-stadium locations, and Build-A-Dino^® stores. Build-A-Bear Workshop extends its in-store interactive experience online with its award winning virtual world website at Bearville.com. The company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list for the third year in a row in 2011. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $401.5 million in fiscal 2010. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning website at buildabear.com.

TRADEMARKS

We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business. As you write your story, we wouldask that you use our full Name: Build-A-Bear Workshop^®and that when referencing the processof making stuffed animals you use the word "make" not "build."

Build-A-Bear Workshop is our well-known trade name and our registered trademark of Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc.Build-A-Bear Workshop^®should only be used in capital letters to refer to our products and services and should not be used as a verb.

SOURCE: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Jill Saunders, 314-423-8000 ext. 5293
Cell: 314-422-4523
jills@buildabear.com
or
Shannon Lammert, 314-423-8000 ext. 5379
Cell: 314-556-8841
shannonl@buildabear.com