Bearytales Building On a Brand Inside The Mountain Mall in Gatlinburg

For the new owners of Bearytales, Sonia and Jeff, the road may be a bit rough, but it’s paved with loads of good intentions. There’s no better proof than what they have in the store. They are local and Veteran owned—2 positives from the start; plus, their shop serves as a cheaper, more personal alternative to the big box Build-A-Bear chain you can still find in malls and shopping centers across the United States (more on that later).

While the store itself may not be large, the mission of these new owners is sure to bring bigger-than- life smiles on the faces of many kids and their parents visiting Gatlinburg. Sonja says the most important thing they want to offer customers is making sure families are happy with the experience. No one wants to be sold anything. It’s a golden rule for retail in general, and I happen to endorse this proper way of giving great customer service. Smile, greet, say little, but always be available to help when necessary. You don’t want potential customers turned off by a pushy “salesperson.”

The coolest—or warmest—thing they have in the shop, in my opinion, are the Warmies. These range from $24.99-$39.99, and they are stuffed animals you can place in the microwave to make them feel warm and more alive when your children take them to bed at night, or for a much needed nap. They are super snuggable, huggable, and lovable!

I know many of us try to be environment-conscious, even if it’s not always perfectly convenient for us, but you can take pride in the fact their stuffed animals here are extremely eco-friendly; in fact, 9.5 plastic bottles are used in the making of one plush animal at Bearytales, consumes 70% less energy than virgin fiber production, AND has a 50% lower carbon footprint than organic cotton. That might make you want to hug a tree!

We aren’t done with the affordable prices either. At minimum, plush animals of a similar size at your standard Build-A-Bear will run you $25, but depending on what you choose, you could easily spend more than $40. At Bearytales, you’re looking at spending no more than $21.99 for one. Just pick your favorite, walk over to the stuffing machine, and then pick out an outfit, which are also cheaper than the name brand store. They even have specially designed Smoky Mountain shirts for just $5 in one section. Dress your plush pet and even get that familiar birth certificate. And don’t forget to name him or her! To top it off, you are given a special backpack for your new friend as well.

In addition to their vast array of plushies you can hug, Bearytales also have neat Storybook and Fun Purses that are priced between $25 and $40, as well as Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge signs from $19.99-$24.99. You won’t find many shops in Gatlinburg that has just one type of item, and Bearytales is no exception. Purchase a plush pet, and spend a little extra on some miscellaneous items while you’re at it!

Overall, this is a fun shop you and your kids will love. The owners are passionate about their business, and they sincerely want to make it about YOU the customer. This is a shop that not only the kids will approve of, but the parents will as well! They are located on the top floor of the Mountain Mall in downtown Gatlinburg. Click on the link for their Facebook page below, and their contact information is also listed. Have fun shopping!

Facebook: Bearytales Gatlinburg

Address: 611 Parkway Suite F Gatlinburg, TN

Hours: They are trying to stay open daily from 10:30-8. You’ll definitely catch them here on weekends.

Email: BearytalesGatlinburg@gmail.com

Thank you for reading my latest Gatlinburg small business review! Be sure to stay tuned for more reviews on local businesses here in this prime vacation destination. Be sure to hit the subscribe button to not miss any of these stories as soon as they are published! I appreciate your support!