Press Release

ST. LOUIS (April 26, 2011)- Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, is introducing the newest Champ-A Champion Fur Kids™ teddy bear on May 12 to continue its support for children’s health and wellness causes. One dollar from the sale of each Champ™ bear purchased in stores or online at buildabear.com® will be given to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to be granted to organizations working on behalf of children’s health and wellness causes such as children’s cancer, juvenile diabetes, autism, and many other important wellness causes like nutrition and child safety. To celebrate the launch of this furry friend, $2 from each Champ bear purchased from May 12 through 15 will be directed by the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to these worthy causes.

“Since first introducing Champ-A Champion Fur Kids in 2006, we have raised more than $800,000 to support children and families,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive bear. “Build-A-Bear Workshop is excited to introduce the newest Champ bear and to provide the opportunity for Guests to help make a difference in the lives of others.”

Champ was inspired by the brave and generous spirit of Nikki Giampolo, a special Build-A-Bear Workshop friend. Nikki loved life, children and teddy bears. In 2002, before she lost her battle with cancer at age 15, Nikki shared her love by giving bears and their hugs to all those around her. Inspired by Nikki, Build-A-Bear Workshop launched the Nikki's Bear and Champ series of stuffed animals to help raise funding for children's charities. Champ's patch heart is a symbol of Nikki, and this new bear builds on her legacy while providing encouragement to children who are working to overcome obstacles and meet health challenges.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation strives to make life more bearable for children, families, and pets, who are in need of a helping paw. For more information, please visit buildabear.com or email giving@buildabear.com.

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 would ask that you use our full Name: Build-A-Bear Workshop® and that when referencing the process of 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.

Contact:
Jill Saunders
314-423-8000 ext. 5293
314-422-4523 (cell)
jills@buildabear.com

Shannon Lammert
314-423-8000 ext. 5379
314-556-8841 (cell)
shannonl@buildabear.com