The Mall of America Build-A-Bear Workshop revealed a new look and feel last week, and my kids and I had such a fun time at their grand re-opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony!
The new store re-opened on September 1st in their same, ideal location at the Mall of America, on the first floor of East Broadway, near the rotunda.
We were wowed by the bright, updated store and its many new features including two seven-foot-tall Build-a-Bear stuffing machines placed right in the store’s center.
The store features a more spacious and inviting layout where customers are greeted by familiar and fun characters but also some of their own characters such as the Honey Girls, Build-a-Bear’s first multimedia product line.
OUR FUN EXPERIENCE AT BUILD-A-BEAR
When we entered we were greeted right away by Jordyn, a super-friendly team member who has worked at Build-a-Bear for the past 4 years. Jordyn took my kids in and invited them to pick out the animal of their choice.
I gasped when I learned how many stuffed (or to-be-stuffed) animals they had to choose from – 72 in all (!), including many familiar characters from Star Wars, Minions and My Little Pony, all ready to be stuffed and personalized.
It was tough choice with so many to pick from, but my daughter chose a Lalaloopsy with purple hair, and my son chose Michaelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Jordyn then took them through the store to choose their own clothes, accessories, voices/music (that children can activate by squeezing their animal’s hand or foot), and even some unique things like a scent (like strawberry) and a heart that goes inside your stuffed friend – there’s even one that pulses like a real heartbeat! My kids didn’t like the hearts that beat, but chose the fabric ones instead.
Here Jordyn helps my kids pick out a special sound for their new friends.
My kids were blown away by their huge selection of clothes and accessories!
Very cute dresses, suits and shoes.
When our kids were done creating their new friends and stuffing them with the help of Jordyn and the stuffing machine, we posed for pictures with our friends Aimee and her kids. (Also check out Aimee’s review of our experience at Build-a-Bear at TwinCitiesKidsClub.com: http://www.twincitieskidsclub.com/content/brand-new-build-bear-workshop-now-open-mall-america)
Me and the kiddos and their new friends!
COST
What does a Build-a-Bear stuffed animal cost? Starting prices vary by animal and range from $12 to $40 and up, with accessories such as shoes and sounds costing extra. The costs can add up quickly so prepared to spend at least $50 for a complete stuffed animal.
WHAT ELSE DOES BUILD-A-BEAR OFFER?
Did you know that Build-a-Bear also books parties in their store? Starts at $12 per guest.
Also be sure to check out their new mobile-optimized website and their Bearville Alive YouTube channel for more Build-a-Bear fun!
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
We had such a positive experience at Build-a-Bear. Jordyn put my kids in a state of awe as they explored the many ways they could personalized their own stuffed animals. She made it so magical by making it so interactive with them, from helping them stuff their own animals to “blowing a puff of air” into their new take-home boxes to open them up for their new friends. Build-a-Bear offers such a fun experience for kids to personalize a snuggly friend for any special occasion or gift, and we were so glad to be the first to experience their new store firsthand!
(Disclosure: I was provided with complimentary personalized stuffed animals for my kids for visiting their store and sharing our experience. All opinions are 100% mine.)