In an unprecedented shopping frenzy reminiscent of the Beanie Baby craze, Build-A-Bear workshops across the U.S. had to cut short their inaugural “Pay Your Age” event due to overwhelming crowds and safety concerns. This promotion, which allowed customers to purchase stuffed animals for the price equal to their age—meaning a two-year-old could snag a bear for just $2—drew thousands of eager shoppers before the stores even opened.
However, within hours of kicking off the sale, Build-A-Bear was forced to shut down operations as chaos erupted. Lines snaked around the mall, and some adults resorted to physical confrontations, while little ones struggled to manage long wait times. The sheer volume of people led to safety issues, prompting Build-A-Bear to make the difficult decision to close their doors early.
“Per local authorities, we cannot accept additional Guests at our locations due to crowds and safety concerns,” a representative from Build-A-Bear stated. “We have closed lines in our U.S. and Canada stores. We understand some Guests are disappointed and will reach out directly as soon as possible.”
In the wake of the event, many frustrated customers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction. I found myself in a similar predicament when I decided to check out the local Build-A-Bear with my two-year-old about thirty minutes before the store opened. I kept the destination a secret from her to avoid disappointment, but upon arrival, I was greeted by a line of at least a thousand people stretching throughout the mall. I couldn’t help but laugh and suggested we head to Target instead.
While the “Pay Your Age” event could have been a fantastic opportunity for families who struggle to spend $30 on a stuffed toy, the reality was far from ideal for many. Fortunately, if you missed out on the event, you can still snag a $15 voucher from their website by creating a free Build-A-Bear account.
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In summary, the Build-A-Bear “Pay Your Age” event quickly spiraled into chaos, leading to early store closures and disappointed customers. Although the promotion was intended to make stuffed animals more accessible, the execution fell short due to overwhelming crowds.
Keyphrase: Build-A-Bear promotion chaos
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