Friends 2B made Recognized by Chain Store Age

Friends 2B made Recognized by Chain Store Age

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    Business Editors
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    ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2005--Friends 2B made(R), one of the newest concepts from Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) (NYSE: BBW) won first prize in the Exterior- In-line Store category of Chain Store Age's 2004 Retail Store of the Year design competition. According to Chain Store Age magazine, the judges of the competition felt that the exterior of friends 2B made successfully brought this brand to life, which is based on friendship and fashion.
    On February 26, 2005, the night before Chain Store Age's annual SPECS conference begins, friends 2b made, along with the other winners, will be honored for their achievements. The dinner and conference will be held at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas. In addition, friends 2B made and other winning entries are featured in a special section of the February 2005 issue of Chain Store Age.
    Friends 2B made opened its first store in Pittsburgh at The Mall at Robinson on November 11, 2004 and opened its second store on November 19, 2004 in Columbus at Easton Town Center. Friends 2B made stores offer Guests the same level of personalized entertainment they are accustomed to at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores as they stuff their dolls, participate in the heart ceremony, pick out their new friend's personality traits, dress them in fashionable clothes and accessories and create a friendship certificate.
    Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop was thrilled to hear that friends 2B made was being recognized by Chain Store Age. "I wanted to take the best parts of Build-A-Bear Workshop and use these concepts to create a fun place for girls to make their very own doll and best friend. Winning this award from Chain Store Age is a real honor for everyone involved in this exciting new brand," Clark said.

    Build-A-Bear Workshop(R)

    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. 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.

    friends 2B made

    Friends 2B made is the newest concept launch from Build-A-Bear Workshop, the entertainment mall-based retail leader. The new doll product line offers Guests not only the chance to create their very own fashionable friends but also gives them the opportunity to discover a special personality for their very own doll! Throughout this interactive process, Guests have the opportunity to create an emotional bond with their doll and have fun choosing from hip fashions and accessories. With sparkly eyes, manicured toes, super hair and most importantly a friendship to last a lifetime, these dolls are the most wonderful friends a girl could ever wish for! Each complete outfit comes with 2 free charms, one for her and one for her new doll, enhancing their collectibility and stylish fun! Friends 2B made continues to offer the highest quality merchandise, marketing and customer service that the Build-A-Bear Workshop brand established in 1997. The merchandise is also value priced with dolls at $12, accessories $2 and complete outfits for $8. Friends 2B made won the Chain Store Age 2004 Retail Store of the Year Design Competition-First Prize: Exterior-In-Line Store Category.

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--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 CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT PHOTO PHOTOWIRE SOURCE: Build-A-Bear Workshop PHOTO: 38478

Copyright Business Wire 2005