Into the Belly of the Beast

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tours

What gives Vermont Teddy Bears their distinctive poochie bellies? At first blush, you might guess that the furry fellows indulge a bit too frequently in another made-in-Vermont product--Ben & Jerry's ice cream. A visit to the Vermont Teddy Bear factory in Shelburne, Vermont, will assure you, though, that it's just old-fashioned stuffing that gives these guys their portly physiques. The stuffing is blasted into them at 100 miles per hour--not even a teenager whose heart's been stomped by her first love can down Ben & Jerry's that fast!

The speed at which stuffing travels is just one of the "bear essentials" you'll learn on a tour of the place where bears are born. Vermont Teddy Bear is the brainchild of John Sortino, who made his first bears in his wife's sewing room in 1983 and sold them from a peddler's cart at an open-air market in Burlington. The company really took off in 1990 when the Bear Gram concept was launched with an aggressive, pre-Valentine's Day advertising campaign touting bears as a great alternative to flowers. Today, Vermont Teddy Bear is a public company that employs more than 200 people and sells more than 450,000 bears each year.

Each made-in-Vermont teddy bear has its own attitude and personality. There are more than 100 unique designs, all available for overnight delivery to anyone who could use a bear boost. Pregnant bears, angel bears, career bears, golfer bears, superhero bears--the designs meet just about every gift-giving need. There's even an alien bear, whose removable bear face reveals the green creature hiding inside. I can't imagine what a gift recipient would do to deserve that scary surprise!

The Vermont Teddy Bear factory is a great place to take the kids, but be forewarned that the chances of getting them out of the factory without new bear buddies in their arms are slim to none, especially when they see that they can design and stuff their very own bears.

Here's your guide to visiting Vermont Teddy Bear, or, if you can't get to Vermont, come along with me on a virtual tour, then send a Bear Gram to someone you love--like you!

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Tours: What You Need to Know

Hours: The Vermont Teddy Bear factory and the Bear Shop are open daily except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The Bear Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours until 6 p.m. in the summer. Factory tours are offered from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. October 26 through June 30 and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 1 through October 25.

Admission: Factory tour admission is $2 for adults, free for kids ages 12 and under. Print this coupon and receive a free, reusable Vermont Teddy Bear shopping bag with a purchase of $49 or more in the Bear Shop.

Directions: The Vermont Teddy Bear factory is located on Route 7 in Shelburne, Vermont, about 7 miles south of Burlington. From Interstate 89, take exit 13 and proceed south on Route 7 for about 6.5 miles. The factory is on the left. From Interstate 87, take exit 20 and drive east on Route 149. At Fort Ann, New York, take Route 4 East to Fair Haven, Vermont. Proceed north on Route 22A to Vergennes, Vermont. Turn left onto Route 7 and travel north for about 16 miles. The factory will be on your right.

Hotels Nearby: Hotels located within 5 miles of Vermont Teddy Bear include the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites (book direct) in Shelburne and the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (book direct) in South Burlington.

For Group Tour Information: Call 802-985-1305 for reservations.

For More Information: Call 802-985-3001 or toll free, 800-829-BEAR.