Nestled in the quaint town of Shelburne, Vermont just south of Burlington is the home of a beloved local institution – the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. This unique attraction offers family-friendly fun along with an intriguing glimpse behind the seams of the iconic teddy bear brand.
The Ultimate Guide to Vermont Teddy Bears, Perfect for Gifting
What is a Vermont “Teddy Bear”?
“Teddy bears” are a type of stuffed animal that, in the United States, is most often associated with children. The teddy bear was named after Theodore Roosevelt, who was known as “Teddy” by his friends and family.
The bears were created by Morris Michtom in 1902, who came up with the idea when he saw a drawing of President Roosevelt and thought that it would be nice to have a toy bear to hug.
The origin of the Vermont Teddy Bear
In 1981, a small, family business (later named Vermont Teddy Bear) was founded by John Sortino, who sold handmade teddy bears in a community outdoor market in Burlington, Vermont. Sortino happened upon the notion of mailing bears through the mail when a tourist from out of town asked him to send a bear to her home. He later worked this idea into the “Bear-Gram”, which customized and packaged the bears in their shipping boxes (even including a hole for the bear to “breathe”). Then, he mailed them through the postal service to his customers.
John Sortino manufactured teddy bears for his son in 1981, creating the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Its first item was named Bearcho, owing to the thick eyebrows and handlebar mustache it bore, like those of Groucho Marx. The company's classic teddy bears with movable limbs and charming custom-fitted outfits were an instant hit.
In 1995, the company moved into its brand-new headquarters to Shelburne, VT. The company had two factories: one in Shelburne and one in Newport, Vermont. The Shelburne, VT factory remains a particularly popular tourist site, but the Newport location closed in later years.
Over the decades, Vermont Teddy Bear has become one of the most successful plush toy companies in America, expanding globally while retaining its focus on hand-crafted quality. Today it offers hundreds of fun and creative bear designs for all occasions.
Visiting Vermont Teddy Bear
Visiting the Factory & Store
At the company's factory in Shelburne, visitors can go on a guided tour to learn about the teddy bear creation process and watch the bears being made. Highlights include:
- Peek inside the sewing room to see bears being stitched and stuffed
- Watch bears get their signature smiles and have their paws pad-printed
- Learn about the design process from sketch to finished product
- Visit the on-site Bear School where you can make your own bear
- Browse the expansive Bear Shop with clothing, accessories, and of course, bears!
Fun for All Ages
With its hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes access, the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory is an ideal family-friendly attraction. Kids love peeking in on the bear creation process and coming away with their very own cuddly souvenir. Adults also appreciate the clever marketing and high-quality craftsmanship.
The experience appeals to all ages, making it a great option for multi-generational travel or for kids whether young or just young at heart!
An Iconic Vermont Brand
Beyond the retail experience, visiting Vermont Teddy Bear offers a charming dose of local Vermont flair. The brand has become a beloved emblem of Vermont culture known around the world. Burlington even celebrates “Bear Day” each summer in collaboration with Vermont Teddy Bear.
For those looking to soak up everything that makes Vermont unique, a tour of the funny, fuzzy, and undeniably cuddly bear makers is not to be missed. All who visit are sure to walk away with a smile on their face and warmth in their heart.
Some Fun Facts about Vermont Teddy Bear
Vermont Teddy Bear has some fun and quirky stories from its history as an iconic Vermont brand:
- The original bear was born in 1981 when founder John Sorinto made a homemade teddy bear in his Shelburne sewing room as a gift, sparking the idea for the company.
- Early on, the bears were sold out of a cart in Burlington and at local fairs by Vermont Teddy Bear co-founder R. Patrick Burns.
- The first “Bear-Gram” delivered to someone was sent to a local teacher from a student who couldn't afford flowers. This sparked their famous Bear-Gram gifting service.
- To create custom bear outfits, they once bought up old wool uniforms from defunct airlines Pan-Am and Eastern to reuse the fabric.
- During the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Vermont Teddy Bear set a world record for the largest teddy bear ensemble – over 1,000 bears!
- The company has created many unique publicity stunts over the years, like dropping 10,000 teddy bears by parachute over Burlington in 2014.
- Famous customers have included Elvis Presley, Mariah Carey and Rudy Giuliani. Giulian's NYC mayor bear caused controversy.
- Bears have been created with customized local themes for different states, including a Texas bear with cowboy hat and boots.
- Some limited edition bears sell out quickly and become collectors items, like the unique Christmas-themed Santa's Hunk and Vixen designs.
With nearly 40 years of bear hi-jinks and hugs, Vermont Teddy Bear has cultivated its share of delightfully quirky stories and memories. The bears march on in true Vermont style.
- The “Bear in the Air” logo was designed in 1984 by artist Nancy Reps and is still used prominently today on their products and packaging.
- In the 1990s they created unique teddy bears for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade including a Papa Bear balloon pilot.
- For April Fool's Day 1996 they temporarily changed their name to Vermont Teddy Cheese and claimed to be making bear-shaped cheeses. Many were fooled!
- In 2006 they released a special bear honoring the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin called the Khaki Bear which came with a stingray plush.
- During the Obama-McCain election in 2008 they sold competing bears wearing Democrat Donkey and Republican Elephant outfits.
- They operate a video blog called “Bear TV” documenting funny bear videos that has over 6,000 subscribers on YouTube.
- In 2021 they partnered with Build-A-Bear workshop to release a limited edition “Bearmont Bear” only available in Vermont.
- Their creative bear designs include occupation bears like the Farmer Bear and Detective Bear along with holiday bears for every occasion.
- Each bear has a unique name and backstory on its tag like “Barnabus B. Bear” and “Lovey Dovey Bear”.
The company's constant creativity and innovation keeps Vermont Teddy Bear full of fun surprises after 40 years in business!
How to Buy a Vermont Teddy Bear
The first step in buying a Vermont Teddy Bear is to know what you want. Are you looking for a teddy bear that is soft, cuddly, and fluffy? Or are you looking for something that is more of an educational toy?
There are many different things to consider when buying a Vermont Teddy Bear. The most important thing to consider is the type of teddy bear that you want. There are different types of teddy bears based on their size, weight, and material.
Vermont Teddy Bear Shopping Tips
What are the best ways to buy a Vermont Teddy Bear online? We will go over the different considerations you should keep in mind when buying a teddy bear online as well as what to do if you are not happy with your purchase.
If you are ordering your bear as a gift, we recommend adding a personalized message to the bear's tag. This will make it more special for the recipient of your gift.
Vermont Teddy Bears are a popular Christmas gift, so you should order them early in the Winter season to avoid any delays in delivery.
Best ways to buy a Vermont Teddy Bear online:
1. Find a reputable website that sells Vermont Teddy Bears – for example, Amazon.com, eBay or Etsy.
2. Make sure that the website is not selling counterfeit products and is approved by the Better Business Bureau.
3. Read the return policy of the website and make sure you can return the product if it doesn't meet your expectations or is not what you were looking for.
4. Check out customer reviews and read them before committing to buy anything from any website.
Other fun places to visit and things to see and do near Vermont Teddy Bear
In addition to the Vermont Teddy Bear factory tour and store, there are lots of other fun things to do in the area for recreation and family entertainment:
- Shelburne Museum – This incredible museum with art, artifacts, and Americana is right down the road. Great for families.
- Shelburne Farms – Nearby historical farm with cheesemaking, farm animals, walking trails, dining, and events.
- Shelburne Vineyard – Popular winery with wine tastings, tours, and a bistro. Family-friendly.
- Fishing – Fish for perch, bass, pike, and more on Lake Champlain, just minutes away.
- Biking – Miles of scenic bike paths in the Lake Champlain area, including the Island Line Rail Trail. Bike rentals available.
- Water Sports – Canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and more can be enjoyed on Lake Champlain through local outfitters.
- Hiking – Walk the tree-lined trails on the 1,400 acre LaPlatte Nature Park right in Shelburne. Great for families.
- Maple Creemees – Stop by Shelburne Country Store
- Dining – Shelburne has lots of excellent farm-to-table restaurants like Folino's Pizza and The Bearded Frog.
With so much to do right nearby, visitors of all ages can easily fill a whole fun day or weekend around Vermont Teddy Bear and Shelburne!
Spooky tip for ghost hunters: While visiting the Shelburne area, be sure to check out the Shelburne Museum where you'll find a fantastic array of everything historical and exciting, including a supposedly Vermont haunted house!
Photos in the above article were provided courtesy of Carol M. Highsmith
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