Be My Bear or Build a Bear that is the question!

“Hello this is Be My Bear – how can we help?” “Is that Build-a-Bear?” “No this is Be My Bear, how can we help you?” “We are looking for the nearest Build-a-Bear workshop? Where are you?”

And on and on the conversation goes ….. until finally we have convinced the caller that we really aren’t Build-A-Bear!  These calls occur quite frequently and so we felt it was time to clarify who WE are and who Build-A-Bear are to avoid any further confusion!

Be My Bear:

We are an award-winning business specialising in the hands-on make-a-bear concept and are the UK’s original Build Anywhere Bear company. Be My Bear was founded 21 years ago by two friends Pippa Thomas and Jane Weaver on a kitchen table and has grown into a UK market leader offering affordable quality products via two continuously evolving retail and wholesale websites. We sell an extensive range of top quality plush and eco teddy bears and animals to build anywhere – at home, at a party, indoors, outdoors, the choice is endless. Based in the beautiful setting of North Wales, we export to Europe in addition to selling into numerous outlets from shops and theme parks to holiday resorts and pregnancy scanning clinics within the UK.

Build A Bear:

Build A Bear are American retailers based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, only 4 years before Be My Bear, Build A Bear offers an in-store experience with the teddy bear or animal stuffed for the customer by an assistant in store.

The Bear Factory:

We said this was going to be confusing but there were originally two Bear Factories! The UK Bear Factory opened their first store in the UK in 2001 at the very same time that Be My Bear was launched initially running children’s teddy bear making parties. The US Bear Factory started about the same time in Michigan and began supplying Be My Bear with stock to supplement their own branded range. In 2006 Build a Bear acquired the UK Bear Factory from Hamleys incorporating it into Build a Bear Workshop, ending the UK Bear Factory branding. Build a Bear went onto open several new stores in the UK and Ireland. However, unlike the UK Bear Factory, the US based Bear Factory is thriving and growing and Be My Bear are still the exclusive suppliers of its products in the UK and parts of Europe.

Be My Bear:

Supply build-your-own bear kits either singly or as party packs which include the unstuffed bear skins, stuffing, birth certificate, invitations (for party packs) make-a-wish upon a heart charm and deluxe carry bags. It’s a great fun, hands-on activity and we give you lots of ideas for bear-related party themes, games and additional activities to help your teddy bear making party go with a bang. There are all sorts of add-ons from clothes and accessories to voice boxes and colour-in T-shirts. We also supply ready stuffed teddy bears and animals primarily for use with our recordable sound chips for recording a baby’s heartbeat as part of our Heartbeat Bear range or to send a message in a bear to a very special someone. The bears can also be used as memory bears or as keepsake bears as in addition to the pocket which is sealed once the bear is stuffed, they have an additional pouch which can be accessed via the velcro seal.

Build-A-Bear:

The online party boxes supplied by Build a Bear contain teddies and animals which are already stuffed. They come with birth certificates and party hats and a Build A Bear outfit.

In-store at Build a Bear Workshops, the store assistants use a stuffing machine to stuff the animal of choice and then the child has the opportunity to add an outfit and fill in the birth certificate. If a party is being held in the Build-a-Bear shop, a party leader organises games and activities. There is no party food in store and so the party guests are usually taken to a café or restaurant nearby to continue the party fun.

Be My Bear:

Be My Bear supply two sizes of bear – 8 inch and 16 inch. Be My Bear outfits and accessories designed for 16-inch bears will fit Build a Bear teds and animals and vice versa. Build a Bear do not supply the 8-inch ranges and so Be My Bear 8-inch outfits will only fit Be My Bear products.

Build a Bear:

Build a Bear supply 16-inch bears and outfits which are compatible with the 16-inch range of Be My Bear teddies and animals.

So, there you have it - the basic differences between Be My Bear and Build a Bear – but whether you shop with us or them, online or in store, you can guarantee the kids (and adults) will be in teddy bear heaven!

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