Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop Recognized b

    Business Editors/Toy Industry Writers

    ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2005--Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) (NYSE: BBW) has been named one of four Wonder Women of Toys. The Wonder Women of Toys award is a joint initiative of Playthings magazine and Women in Toys.
    Clark won the Wonder Women of Toys award in the retail category and will be honored at the Women in Toys' annual networking dinner in New York City on Sunday, February 20 during the American International Toy Fair. In addition, Clark along with the other three winners in the Entrepreneur, Manufacturer, and Inventor/ Designer categories were recognized in the January 2005 issue of Playthings magazine.
    According to Larry Oliver, publisher of Playthings magazine, this is the first Wonder Women of Toys award given by Playthings magazine and Women in Toys and they are planning to make it an annual award. "The special thing about the Wonder Women of Toys award is that it is an industry award which means that it wasn't our editors choosing the nominees," said Oliver. "It was people within the industry nominating colleagues they believed excelled in the toy business."
    In addition to winning the Wonder Women of Toys award, Clark has won the Industry Visionary Achievement award from Playthings magazine. For the past 35 years, Playthings magazine has been honoring industry achievers, this year adding Industry Visionary to the categories. According to Playthings magazine, the Visionary award is given to an industry professional who has followed an original idea from concept to success. Clark was featured in the January 2005 issue of Playthings and will be honored at the magazine's awards dinner during 2005 American International Toy Fair. In announcing the award, Maria Weiskott, Playthings editor-in-chief, noted Clark's accomplishment in developing Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) into a retailing phenomenon. "Maxine has not only put the word 'fun' into retailing, she has made it a creative and memorable experience for Guests of all ages. And in doing so she has built a remarkably successful business as well."
    "I am extremely honored to have won the Wonder Women of Toys award as well as the Visionary award, "said Clark. " I have always been a kid at heart and have tried to add the value of play to all of my retail roles during my career. This award is very important to me and a great vote of confidence to the associates of Build-A-Bear Workshop who everyday strive to create a memorable experience for every Guest."

    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(R) 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.

--30--JC/na*

CONTACT: Build-A-Bear Workshop, St. Louis Jennifer Mansell, 314-423-8000 Ext. 5402 jenniferm@buildabear.com www.buildabear.com

KEYWORD: MISSOURI INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL PRODUCT SOURCE: Build-A-Bear Workshop

Copyright Business Wire 2005