New store concept updates hands-on bear making process with new
interactive features
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 24, 2012--
Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the interactive entertainment
retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today that it is
introducing a newly imagined store design in six markets across the
United States in 2012. The new store design, which has been over two
years in the making, merges the Build-A-Bear Workshop hands-on
bear-making process with the power of technology to provide a magical
new experience for Guests of all ages. The new design is an evolution
that recognizes technology is a part of play for kids today and a way to
enhance the signature Build-A-Bear Workshop process.
“The new stores will provide fun, memorable, and innovative experiences
for families for years to come,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief
executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. “When Build-A-Bear Workshop
opened its first store, our concept redefined retail and this new design
will once again change the industry. I am very excited about the
enhanced features that will allow us to continue to lead in the
interactive retail space.”
The newly designed store locations will be in premiere shopping centers
throughout the United States including:
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West County Center in St. Louis, Mo.
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Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton, Calif.
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Annapolis Shopping Mall in Annapolis, Md.
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The Somerset Collection in Troy, Mich.
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Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Va.
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Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis, Ind.
“We remain committed to our mission to bring the teddy bear to life
while providing the ‘funnest’ hour of a family’s day at all touch points
— in our stores, on our e-commerce site, online in Bearville™ and
through our mobile app,” said Clark. “Our Guests have been a big part of
our success and we have worked with a group of kids, our Cub Advisors,
and their moms to perfect the working model of the store design. Our new
stores will maintain the fun, memory-making and personal interaction for
which we are known while adding new sensory and technological features.”
Build-A-Bear Workshop will announce details and store opening dates this
fall.
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. There are more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores
worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico,
Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and franchise stores in Europe,
Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and South America.
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 and entertainment destination
website at bearville.com™.
The company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For®
list for the fourth year in a row in 2012. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:
BBW) posted total revenue of $394.4 million in fiscal 2011. 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.
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
