At Hecht's department store Clark created a children's department called the "The Land of Ahhs." As executive vice-president of marketing and merchandising for Venture Stores she assisted in the original development of children's character licensing for store merchandise. She worked in numerous capacities at May, but found children's marketing to be her greatest strength. Her career began in 1972 when May Department Stores hired her as an executive trainee. ![]() Twenty-five years of experience in retail management prepared founder Maxine Clark for the creation and successful implementation of the Build-a-Bear Workshop concept. Customers pay at the Take Me Home station where the toy is lodged in a Cub Condo, a cardboard house. Accessories include miniature athletic equipment, shoes, hats, sunglasses, and "fur-niture." The new attire can be put on the stuffed animal at the Dress Me Station. Special interest clothing includes tutus, sports and cheerleader uniforms, and nurse, doctor, and firefighter uniforms. Choices range from tuxedos and wedding gowns, to denim skirts and pants, camouflage pants, sweaters, t-shirts, flannel shirts, underwear, and pajamas. At the Bear Boutiques shoppers can choose from a wide variety of teddy bear clothing and accessories, including formal and casual attire and clothing for specific activities or holidays. ![]() Personal information is used to track owners of lost teddy bears through a corresponding barcode placed inside each plush animal. Customers choose between a birth certificate signed by Chief Executive Bear Maxine Clark or a storybook about how the toy is made. The stuffed animal can be fluffed and groomed under an air blower at the Huff Me station.Īt the Name Me station, a childlike voice accompanies the process of entering the name of the new friend into a computer. After choosing a small, heart-shaped, red satin pillow, customers are encouraged to rub and kiss the heart, make a wish, and then place it into the toy animal before the Master Bear Builder closes loosely embedded stitches. The next stop is the Stuff Me station where they decide on stuffing firmness or softness and use a foot pedal to operate a machine that the Master Bear Builder uses to stuff the plush animal. At the Hear Me station patrons can choose to have a sound microchip placed inside the stuffed animal. At the Choose Me station customers select a toy animal "skin" from a variety of colors and sizes. Customers, referred to as Guest Bear-Builders, walk along The Bearway and stop at stations in a process of teddy bear construction. ![]() Build-A-Bear Workshop offers a unique retail entertainment experience in providing children of all ages an opportunity to participate in the creation of a personalized teddy bear or other stuffed animal. Retail store developments in Europe and Asia occur through franchise agreement. owns and operates more than 150 stores in 35 states in the United States and three provinces in Canada. Located in upscale, family-oriented shopping malls, Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc.
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