Though students are certainly familiar with the old Build-A-Bear shop and brand, there is now an update to the traditional stuffed animal creation stores.

The first of the new Build-A-Bear Adventure chain opened on March 21, at 17353 Edison Ave. in Chesterfield.

This location, like classic Build-A-Bear stores, includes a shopping and stuffing station to pick out fuzzy friends, customize them, stuff them, dress them up and create their birth certificates. Each stuffed animal starts at a cost of $32-$38, while customization such as a sound, heartbeat or scent can run an additional $2-$6. 

Outfits cost about $10 each, while accessories range around $3. Halloween-themed Bears and outfits have also recently arrived in the shop, and their Tim Burton line is now available in the store.

“Build-A-Bear is actually more popular with teenagers than you might think. We get a lot of them coming into the shop for walk-ins,” Simon Overturs, party host and store attendant, said.

What separates the Adventure locations from the traditional stores is that they were designed to also cater for parties on weekends, with rooms for pizza, cake and treats and an arcade in the back of the facility. On weekdays, Build-A-Bear Adventure opens up its Bake Shop for reservations, where they have pre-packed cupcake kits for guests to participate in a cupcake decorating activity.  

Build-A-Bear Adventure is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The store manager addressed that the location is currently understaffed and looking for employees over 18 to operate the stuffing machinery and to be party hosts.