UnBEARable line: Build-A-Bear sale draws huge crowds

A pay your age sale at Build-A-Bear draws a line stretching hundreds of yards around the Cielo Vista Mall. Patrons started forming a line outside the store as early as 7 AM Thursday, two hours before the store opened.

People waited several hours in line for the heavily discounted bears as the price tag matched the age of the person receiving the bear.

A spokeswoman with the Cielo Vista Mall says that the line was shut down around 10:30 AM since it would take the rest day to serve the customers already in line. She estimates people at the end of the line will wait until closing time, 9 PM, to receive their bears.

The sale is good for any bear in stock and the highest price anyone will pay is $29 according to Build-A-Bear, so older guests can still receive a discount.

Guests seemed to be in good spirits, even though the line was long.

“I’m happy, I think it was worth it,” says mother and shopper Clara Villa, who finally made it in the store after waiting for over fours hours in line.

Even shoppers at the end of the line who had many hours to go were optimistic when asked if the wait was worth it.

“I’m willing to as long as their willing to, cause it’s really for them,” says mother Jessica Smith, referring to her kids.

The line was not only long, but also slow going. After an hour waiting in line, customers only moved about 30 yards.