Press Release
BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP® AND the Cleveland indians™ PLAY BALL!
St. Louis, MO (March 22, 2005) - Build-A-Bear Workshop® (NYSE: BBW) and the Cleveland Indians™ are playing ball and providing fans with an opportunity to support the team in a unique way. Fans from 3 to 103 will be able to make their own Slider™ mascot or other Indians™ furry friends.
The new interactive, entertainment retail store, Make Your Own Slider by Build-A-Bear Workshop located near section 142 in Jacobs Field™ will be open during all Indians home games. Fans can purchase a Slider plush doll, stuff it, give it a special heart, fluff it and then dress it in unique Indians clothing and accessories. The store will also feature a one-of-a-kind Indians Ballpark Bear, the first in a series of bears specific to the Cleveland Indians. The stuffed animals range in price from $20 -$24.
The stuffed animals can be dressed in outfits that range in price from $5-$15
and include officially licensed Indians uniforms, Tiny Tees®, biker jackets
and the latest fashion - a pink Indians jersey and pink shorts. Plush game day
snacks, team pennants, #1 felt hands and other accessories are available for
$2-$10. Each new furry friend can be further personalized with the "Take
Me Out to the Ballgame™" song and the "charge" chant. All
stuffed animals go home with their own specialized Slider birth certificate
and Cub Condo® carrying case. On April 11, fans that make a purchase at
Make Your Own Slider will receive a free bear-sized Major League Baseball®
opening day pennant.
"The Cleveland Indians are excited about the new Make Your Own Slider by
Build A Bear Workshop® store being a part of the fan and family friendly
environment at Jacobs Field in 2005," said Cleveland Indians Vice President
of Merchandising and Foodservice Jayne Churchmack. "Our organization is
continually trying to find ways to enhance the fan experience at Jacobs Field,
so teaming up with a well respected company like Build-A-Bear Workshop was a
natural fit."
The relationship between, Build-A-Bear Workshop and the Cleveland Indians extends beyond the store and includes additional efforts throughout the season that will enhance the fan experience. On April 2 from 11 am - 1 pm the club's Slider mascot will make a special appearance at the Build-A-Bear Workshop store at Southpark Mall.
"We are thrilled to be opening the Make Your Own Slider store at Jacobs Field," said Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "Baseball is a part of the American landscape as are stuffed animals and that is why we our thrilled to be partnering with the Cleveland Indians. The Cleveland Indians promote a family friendly environment and we look forward to being a part of and enhancing that family fun."
About Slider™
Birthdate: July 29, 1990
Height: Really Up There!
Weight: You Don't Really Want to Know . . . .
Bats/Throws: Yes! Anything & Everything
Resides: Somewhere "Underground" Behind Home Plate at Jacobs Field
Favorite Food: Popcorn, Hot Dogs, and Pizza
Favorite Movie: "Muppets Take Manhattan"
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Favorite TV Show: Scooby Doo
Favorite Beverage: Strawberry Shake
Favorite Player: All of the Cleveland Indians!
About the Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians organization, established in 1901 as one of just four
Charter American League™ baseball clubs, is driven to build and sustain
a championship team in a culture of excellence.
About Build-A-Bear Workshop®
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® 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.
Note - Photographs of Make Your Own Slider™ merchandise are available.
Media members are invited to make a new furry friend at the Make Your Own Slider™
store during "What's New at Jacobs Field Media Event" on April 4.
If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Curtis Danburg at 216.420.4390.
Contact:
Shawn Bertani
314-423-8000 ext. 5293
314-452-6391
shawnb@buildabear.com
Curtis Danburg
216-420-4390
cdanburg@indians.com