Press Release

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2005--Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) (NYSE: BBW) announces that it is giving $90,000 in grants to various domestic pet programs across the United States and Canada. Several organizations will receive their grants in ceremonies that recognize their efforts supporting and serving pet programs.

The grant recipients include:

1. Best Friends Animal Society - A sanctuary for homeless animals.
Kanab, Utah

2. Edmonton Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Dedicated to preventing animal suffering and commitment to animal welfare.
Edmonton, Canada

3. Heaven Can Wait - Rescues dogs and cats from inevitable euthanasia.
Akron, OH

4. Humane Society of Missouri - Provides a safe and caring haven to all animals in need.
St. Louis, MO

5. Operation SPOT - Works to end the unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats.
St. Louis, MO

6. Parsippany Animal Supporters Society - Dedicated to the improvement of animal welfare through education.
Parsippany, NJ

7. People for Animals, Inc. - Committed to alleviating animal suffering through proactive solutions to dog and cat overpopulation.
Hillside, NJ

8. Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Promotes safe care of animals through animal rescue, education, adoption and spay/neuter services.
Richmond, VA

9. St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center - Dedicated to the humane treatment of animals through services that support the human-animal bond.
Madison, NJ

10. Dog & Cat Shelter - Provides a shelter for unwanted and abandoned animals.
Sheridan, WY

Build-A-Bear Workshop giving programs focus on improving communities and impacting lives through meaningful philanthropic programs that support causes for children, families and Bearemy's Kennel Pals Grants/Add One animals. Bearemy's Kennel Pals(R) grant program began awarding funds in 2004. Including this round of grants, Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) has distributed over $265,000 to organizations that work with pet programs.

Bearemy's Kennel Pals(R) is a line of plush dogs that generates funds for the support of pet programs. Build-A-Bear Workshop donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each full-sized Bearemy's Kennel Pals friend to domestic pet programs including local animal shelters, stray pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations and pet education programs. Money raised through the sales of these animals is directly granted to shelters and animal programs in the United States and Canada on a quarterly basis. For more information on the Bearemy's Kennel Pals grant program or to download an application, please visit www.buildabear.com/aboutUs/community/bearscanhelp/FurryHelp.aspx.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) Giving Programs

Build-A-Bear Workshop is committed to improving communities and impacting lives through meaningful philanthropic programs that support causes for children, families and animals. The company does this in a number of ways including Stuffed with Hugs(TM), the company's signature charitable program, which is now in its fifth year. Additionally, the mission of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is to direct funds to children's health and wellness, literacy, the preservation of endangered animals and their habitats, and the support of local animal shelters.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) is the leading and only national company providing a make-your-own stuffed animal interactive entertainment retail experience. The first store opened in St. Louis in 1997 and as of January 2005 the company operated 170 stores in 40 states and Canada. With the opening of its international store in Sheffield, England in the fall of 2003 and the addition of international stores in Japan, Denmark and Australia in 2004, Build-A-Bear Workshop has become the global leader in the teddy bear business. Over 25 million stuffed animals have been sold world wide since 1997. In November 2004, the company also opened two friends 2B made(R) stores, the newest concept launch from Build-A-Bear Workshop. For more information about the company and its products call (888) 560-BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning website at www.buildabear.com.

CONTACT: Build-A-Bear Workshop, St. Louis
Shawn Bertani, 314-423-8000 Ext. 5366 or 314-452-6391
shawnb@buildabear.com
or
Carrie Stindel, 314-423-8000 Ext. 5427 or 314-303-6996
carries@buildabear.com
www.buildabear.com

SOURCE: Build-A-Bear Workshop