Teddy bear connection

The Teddy Bear Connection is an American retailer that sells customizable teddy bears and other stuffed animals. It is the largest conglomerate of locally owned stores of its type with over 20 locations, located mostly throughout the midwest. By comparison, Build-A-Bear Workshop, the largest create-your-own animal company, has over 300 locations.
History
The company was founded in Coralville, Iowa in 2001, and opened its first store at the Coral Ridge Mall. Three additional locations opened over the next 2 years. In 2006, the company began licensing its brand, expanding to over two dozen stores by the end of 2007. The economic downturn of 2008 stalled company expansion to only one additional location in 2008. The Teddy Bear Connection is the only company of its type to have an in store party room in every store.
R/C Racers
In 2008 the company added the "R/C Racers" concept to its stores in Denver, Colorado, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Waterloo, Iowa and Salisbury, Maryland. The stores were split into two sections, the traditional bear making section and a new area where guests can create, customize and race R/C cars on custom built in store race tracks. In 2009, the company expanded the concept to stores in Lincoln and Omaha Nebraska. The companies current flagship store at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines Iowa will be adding the R/C Racer concept in 2009.
Future
The company has announced plans to partner with an investment company to open multiple locations outside of the United States for the first time. The success of the R/C Racer concept and the dual-store concept design has allowed the company to continue to attrack new licensees and continue expansion.

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