More than one way
to build a bear

A Build-A-Bear creation

Customers at such stores choose an un-stuffed animal or doll, fill it, stitch it, clothe it, name it and take it home for cuddling.

Build-A-Bear, headquartered in St. Louis, has built out its entertainment retail concept in 3,000 square feet of the old J.C. Penney space. The company recently announced an initial public offering, valued at an estimated $109 million to $122 million.

The family-owned Hanai Bear, where cuddly creatures and dolls are also customized by customers, opened Oct. 1, 2001, on the ground floor at Ala Moana as Hanai A Bear -- but it has since changed its name to Hanai Bear and moved to Pearlridge.

Build-A-Bear's grand opening festivities include a charity preview party for 50 children from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Hawaii Children's Cancer Foundation Nov. 4.

"We have guests from Honolulu who have visited our other Build-A-Bear Workshop stores ask us when we will be opening in their community. Now we will be able to reach even more of our friends in Hawaii and we are thrilled to be here," said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear. Really, that's her title.

The company is still looking for "bearbuilder associates" who can work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to publicist Jennifer Mansell.

Build-A-Bear is the "big dog," said Dr. Ron Reynolds, a partner in Hanai Bear. "We knew Build-A-Bear wanted to come to Honolulu for many years." Hanai Bear is a business established by four Yamada family siblings and their spouses.

Reynolds and his wife Sharon (Yamada) brought the stuff-your-own-concept to Hawaii after visiting a bear-stuffing kiosk during a mainland trip and knew it would need local touches to be successful. Hanai Bear offers traditional and aloha togs for its customers' creations.

"All our Hawaii clothes are made locally," Reynolds said. It also offers officially licensed University of Hawaii doll and bear wear.

Hanai Bear has its paws all over the community and has been involved with Shriners Hospital for Children, Toys for Tots and other charities.

"It's not about the money," Reynolds said. "It's about trying to be a small business in Hawaii and getting people to support small business. That's what we're about."