I had a lot of errands to run before my trip next week and decided to surprise the girls. My husband and I promised them that if they were good and cooperative through everything, we would have a surprise for them. I figured that we could take them to Build-a-Bear in the mall because we hadn’t been there in years and it would give them something new to cuddle with while we are gone.
But Build-a-Bear was not the experience that I remember or had hoped for. When we went the first time for my now seven-year-old, I didn’t mind paying $20 for a bear and $4 for a sound and $10 for an outfit and all that because it was the EXPERIENCE that counted. She got to name it and dress it and really help BUILD it. Today, we waited in line for almost 30 minutes just to get to the stuffing machine. We had about 20 seconds at the “kiss the heart” station before we were quickly shoved away for the next people. You couldn’t even browse the clothes because people were three deep in every section.
I guess it is the same old story. When things are new and not so popular, you feel like you can actually have a personal experience and get what you pay for. But once something gets so popular, it usually gets less fun and more expensive. I can’t say that I care to go back to Build-a-Bear maybe EVER again except in the middle of the day when all the kids are in school. For the price, I can think of a lot more fun “experiences” for us to enjoy as a family. Oh, and I can pick up a similar toy for about 1/3 the price just about anywhere else.
