I Think Yakima Would Do Excellent with a Build-a-Bear in Eastern WA

I remember when I first heard the concept of a Build-a-Bear and was mildly intrigued. The idea that you basically choose an unstuffed bear (at the time), take it up to the counter where they'd ask you to step on the pedal to activate the machine that fills the teddy bears with fluff to make it as soft or as firm as you wish. Then they'd have you make a wish on a heart, they'd insert the heart into the now stuffed animal, you could print out a birth certificate for your new friend and be on your way.

Now it's gone far beyond just bears. They have popular characters from Pokemon, Harry Potter and so much more. Often times at a limited time. You can even pay extra to have sound chips implanted to make it play a tune or have them make a sound or sing a song.

Build-a-Bear stores are still very popular in malls and, when we find one, we often stop by.

Washington state has about 5 locations including one in Tri-Cities, Spokane Valley and a few on the other side of the mountains.

Without the need to travel so far, and being that Valley Mall is still poppin' I think it'd be great if we had a Build-a-Bear in Valley Mall. I think it'd do well.

We stopped by the one in Spokane Valley Mall (no relation) and they had a line just about outside the door of people waiting to get their new friends stuffed. There is a bit of a process where they have you make a wish and they entertain through the entire process, adding to the magic, but people weren't leaving the line, they all got our cash.

Build-a-Bear Workshop would do great in Yakima.