Build-A-Bear Workshop® Supports Children and Families Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Business Wire, Sept 2, 2005

ST. LOUIS -- Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation Donates $30,000 to the American Red Cross to Help Victims of the Hurricane

In addition to the support provided to their own associates, and in response to the hundreds of Guests' emails and phone calls, Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) (NYSE:BBW) is reaching out to support the children and families affected by Hurricane Katrina in several ways. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation has donated $30,000 to the American Red Cross to provide financial support for the children and families suffering from this tragedy. All funds raised will go directly to the American Red Cross to provide support to families all along the Gulf Coast.

Because so many families have been displaced to the Houston area, Build-A-Bear Workshop will also be holding a Stuffed with Hugs(TM) event at their Houston San Antonio and Austin locations beginning September 3 to provide the hug of a teddy bear to children in need. Guests are encouraged to visit any Build-A-Bear Workshop store in these cities and make a bear for free. The bears will be made and given to children that have been relocated from the hardest hit areas to shelters in neighboring cities.

In addition, Guests can visit any Build-A-Bear Workshop or Friends 2b Made store across the United States and Canada or www.buildabear.com and make a contribution to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation, which will be donated directly to the American Red Cross to help families suffering from the hurricane.

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) is also providing their employee discount to groups of Guests that wish to schedule a group visit to Build-A-Bear Workshop to make bears for children affected by the hurricane.

According to Build-A-Bear Workshop Founder and Chief Executive Bear, Maxine Clark, The company's response is yet another way that Build-A-Bear Workshop is able to support children and families in need. "Our heart goes out to all the families and individuals who have had their lives impacted by this devastating event. Teddy bears have always been a source of comfort and in times of need the love of a teddy bear is invaluable. We have received hundreds of emails and phone calls from our Guests wanting to help and we want to do everything we can to help the families who are suffering from this tragedy."

For more information on ways to help visit www.buildabear.com or visit the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org

TRADEMARKS

We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business. As you write your story we ask that you use our full Name: Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) and that when referencing the process of making stuffed animals you use the word "make" not "build".

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) is our well-known trade name and our registered trademark of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) should only be used in capital letters to refer to our products and services and should not be used as a verb.