A-Bear and Sanrio Collaboration Experience Store Opens

St. Louis, December 4, 2025 - Build-A-Bear, the iconic retail brand known for "putting more heart into life," has announced today a partnership with Sanrio, the company behind globally recognized IPs like Hello Kitty, to expand the "Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop" experience stores across the United States. The new locations are set to officially open in early 2026 at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The first Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty themed workshop opened in Los Angeles last year and quickly became a must-visit destination for collectors, families, and loyal Sanrio fans. Its immense popularity has proven that this experience is worth expanding to a broader market, particularly to iconic locations that attract millions of tourists worldwide. The "American Dream" near New York and the "Mall of America," one of the highest foot traffic retail entertainment destinations in the United States, with their vast scale and influence, have become ideal sites for the brand's next phase of expansion.

Each Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty themed workshop offers an immersive experience that blends the characteristics of both brands: pink shopping bags and aprons, custom bear house displays, and Hello Kitty elements throughout. Customers can choose their favorite character, participate in the iconic stuffing experience and the "Heart Ceremony," and create unique companions from the full range of characters like Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, and My Melody through themed clothing, fragrances, and sound accessories for personalized customization.

Chris Hurt, the COO of Build-A-Bear, stated: "From the opening of the Los Angeles store, fans immediately showed a deep resonance with this experience. Bringing the themed workshop to 'American Dream' and 'American Mall' gives us the opportunity to welcome global tourists—these landmarks attract visitors from all over the world year-round."

Jill Koch, Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio, stated: "Our collaboration with Build-A-Bear brings characters to life in a unique workshop way. The success in Los Angeles demonstrates that fans have a strong connection to this heartfelt experience of creating something by hand. Expanding to two top shopping centers will further deepen emotional connections and create unforgettable memories for fans of all ages."

The new workshop will continue to expand the unique Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty themed experience for fans across the U.S. For a generation that has grown up with Bear's "heart" and Kitty's "bow," this place is both a nostalgic destination and a space to create new memories—always adding more warmth and sentiment to life.

Brand Introduction
Since its establishment in 1997, Build-A-Bear has become an emotional brand that spans generations, always adhering to the mission of "adding more heart to life." With over 600 company-owned, partner, and franchise stores worldwide, it creates deep emotional connections with consumers through interactive creation, pop culture collaborations, and e-commerce platforms. The group's total revenue for the 2024 fiscal year reached $496 million.

Sanrio: As a global lifestyle brand, Sanrio has adhered to the philosophy of "small gifts, big smiles" since 1960. It owns popular characters such as Hello Kitty (created in 1974), My Melody, and Kuromi. Its products are available in more than 130 countries, and its business extends to the fields of film, games, and theme parks. It is dedicated to bringing joy through the vision of "One World, Connecting Smiles."

The Mall of America: The largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, covering 5.6 million square feet, with over 500 retail and dining establishments, the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, the SEA LIFE Aquarium, and other facilities. Since its opening in 1992, it has become a landmark in Minnesota.

The American Dream Mall: Developed by the Triple Five Group, it boasts 3 million square feet of entertainment and retail space, bringing together top attractions such as the DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, and the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, as well as flagship stores of luxury brands like Hermès and Gucci. Its prime location near New York City makes it a new entertainment landmark in the Northeast.