Section B · Page 16
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, September 16, 1999
Entertainment
Sean Stevens, 4, lower left, Bth
Stevens, 7, upper left, and Zach
Stevens, 9, Kansas City, Mo., residents,
watch a worker at the Build-A-Bear Work-
shop fill their bear with stuffing材
质. The children's father, Tom Stevens,
took them to the shop, which is locat
ed at Oak Park Mall,
in Overland Park.
Photo by Kale Leven-
son/KANSAN
Build-A-Bear customizes stuffed animal shopping
By Leah Glaser Special to the Kansan
Students tired of the typical clothing and variety mall stores can find a new experience at Oak Park Mall in Overland Park. The Build-A-Bear Workshop, is a one-stop shop for a customized teddy bear.
Located at 95th and Quivera streets, the Build-A-Bear Workshop offers more than just bears. The workshop has a variety of warm and fuzzy animals; the dilemma for customers may be choosing just one.
Once customers have chosen their animals, both customer and toy are ready to conquer the store. The process begins with the stuffing—and because no animal is complete without one—each one receives a heart. A small, red heart is given to the new animal owner with simple instructions: Rub it, make it warm and kiss both sides.
Next the new animal is stitched up and carried to the fluffy bathtub where he is stuffed.
"There are no excuses," said Pat Decourcy, assistant manager at the workshop. "Every animal must leave with a heart full of love."
Bear construction continues on a computer where the new toys are given names and are registered in the workshop directory through a special barcode. To make the process official, owners receive a birth certificate or a children's book. The whole package ranges from $10 to $25.
"There are no excuses. Every animal must leave with a heart full of love."
Pat Decourcy
Assistant workshop manager
"It's an amazing idea," said Angie Scaletty, Lawrence sophomore. "My favorite part is the fluffy bathtub."
Beyond the stuffing, there is a world of extras for the new bear. Sweet messages or giggles can be added for about $5. There also is a variety of clothing options ranging from $3 to $15.
Employees said the store usually was busy, but the lines moved swiftly through the bear-making process.
The workshop celebrates its second birthday this year.
Oak Park mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
—Edited by Sarah Hole
700 Massachusetts • Lawrence KS • (785) 331-4622
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