Build-A-Bear Workshop has opened its 30th-anniversary celebrations by bringing original mascot Bearemy back from the vault in a new plush inspired by the 1999 version.

The limited release went on sale on 27 October and begins a year-long “30 Years of the Stuff You Love” programme. Build-A-Bear says more vault favourites, special editions and collaborations will follow throughout 2027.

Why Bearemy is returning

Bearemy became Build-A-Bear’s original mascot after the first Workshop opened in St Louis in 1997. The new version is designed as a nostalgic tribute to the 1999 furry friend, aimed at longtime collectors as well as families discovering the character for the first time.

The company’s official release says the plush is available in participating stores and online while stocks last. Availability and pricing can vary by country, so UK buyers should confirm the product listing, delivery cost and import position on the local Build-A-Bear site before ordering from another territory.

A collectible launch with a charity element

Build-A-Bear says $3 from every Bearemy sold between 27 October 2026 and 31 December 2027 will be donated to the US-based Build-A-Bear Foundation. That is a company commitment attached to this release; it should not be read as a universal charitable amount in every currency or region.

The announcement also sets up a broader collector calendar. From January 2027, Build-A-Bear plans exclusive vault and anniversary drops celebrating notable characters and moments from its first three decades.

Collector checklist before buying

• Check whether the listing is the 30th-anniversary Vault Bearemy rather than an older resale version.
• Keep the original tags and order record if condition and provenance matter to your collection.
• Confirm local stock and shipping rather than assuming the US announcement applies unchanged in the UK.
• Watch for the planned 2027 vault releases before paying inflated resale prices.

For collectors, the interesting story is not only one bear but the return of the vault programme. A steady sequence of nostalgic releases can create genuine demand, but “while stocks last” launches also reward patience and careful price checking.

Browse more collectibles news, or discover toys and plush from ASACC sellers.

Image credit: Official photograph of Build-A-Bear’s Vault Bearemy, supplied by Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Source: Build-A-Bear Workshop official release, 27 October 2026.