Build-A-Bear ends pay-your-age special because of massive turnout

PHOENIX — A stuffed-toy shop’s pay-your-age special was so popular Thursday that the company pulled the plug on it early.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, which has four Phoenix-area locations, called off the promotion in North America before 9 a.m. Arizona time.

A Facebook post read: “Per local authorities, we cannot accept additional Guests at our locations due to crowds and safety concerns. We have closed lines in our U.S. and Canada stores. We understand some Guests are disappointed and we will reach out directly as soon as possible.”

The local stores — at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Chandler Fashion Center and SanTan Village in Gilbert — were scheduled to open at 10 a.m.

NEW: Line wraps around Chandler mall for @buildabear promotion. Line has since been closed, per company. https://t.co/nx1EFLz9OV #abc15 pic.twitter.com/vl3jE16bR1

— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) July 12, 2018

Television footage showed massive lines at the Valley locations.

The promotion was touted as the popular store’s biggest deal ever.

Customers who signed up for Build-A-Bear’s free Bonus Club were to be charged $1 for each year of age for the day, with a maximum of $29. The minimum cost was $1, and the offer was limited to one toy per customer. The stuffed toys can regularly cost up to $75.

In England, there were reports of nine-hour lines for the promotion and police being called in for fear of rioting.

**Urgent Alert:
Per local authorities, we cannot accept additional Guests at our locations due to crowd safety concerns. We have closed lines in our stores. We understand some Guests are disappointed and we will reach out directly as soon as possible. https://t.co/aSFfPCcfsG pic.twitter.com/WZJ53tOAEH

— Build-A-Bear Workshop (@buildabear) July 12, 2018

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