Press Release
BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP® Opens at Westfield Shoppingtown Brandon Town center In Tampa on October 9th!
Build-A-Bear Workshop is based on the premise that nearly everyone, regardless of age, has a special fondness for stuffed animals. At Build-A-Bear Workshop, visitors, or Guest Bear Builderssm, create their own stuffed animals as they "choose, stuff, stitch, fluff, name and dress" their way through a series of bear-making stations. A variety of inventive bear merchandise is also available, including hundreds of coordinating outfits and accessories for all beary special occasions.
With an existing store location at International Plaza, Chief Executive Bear
Maxine Clark is looking forward to opening a second Tampa store. She notes,
"Our plan is always to open in the premier malls across the country, and
we will continue this approach as we open at Westfield Shoppingtown Brandon
Town Center. We have had many Guests who have visited our other Tampa locations
ask us when we will be opening in their community. Now, we will be able to reach
even more of our friends and we are thrilled to be there."
Build-A-Bear Workshop continued its aggressive expansion plan nationally by opening in new markets this year, including Destin, FL, Columbia SC, Richmond, VA, Lancaster, PA and Dayton and Akron, OH,-as well as internationally. The company has been planning its global strategy for the past several years, and is opening stores in Japan, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada symbolizing a natural extension of its international business growth.
Build-A-Bear Workshop is the innovator and leader of the make-your-own-stuffed-animal
concept for mall-base retailing and currently operates 146 stores in 36 states,
and a very successful e-commerce business. The company is the fifth fastest-growing
privately held firm in St. Louis and by the end of 2003 there will be more than
150 locations in the USA including four stores in Canada. Build-A-Bear Workshop
aims to establish a global brand over the next 5 years, with franchise plans
across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. For more information, call
(888) 560-BEAR or visit the company's award-winning web site at www.buildabear.com.