In January, 2011, Ebsco acquired MCM Group, which includes the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company, but that didn’t stop former owners Bob and Kira Turner from continuing their generous support of the Chelsea community and Hometown Holiday.
It was recently disclosed that the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company would be closing about Dec.31 – with the exception of its customer service and administrative functions, said Bob Pierce, executive director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We are sad and disappointed about this,” he said, adding that the Teddy Bear Company “has been a destination business and a great supporter of the Chelsea Chamber and Hometown Holiday. We have worked closely with Bob and Kira over the years.”
So Saturday, be sure to take part in the popular community sing from 7-9 p.m. at the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company, 400 N. Main St., and warm up after watching the light parade. Participants can enjoy free refreshments and sing holiday carols with Counterpoint. The event is, of course, sponsored by Chelsea Teddy Bear Company.
Then at 7:30 p.m. is the Bear Cub Run inside Teddy Bear when several local children are selected to run through the Chelsea Teddy Bear warehouse and grab as many bears as they can carry.
Plus, according to the store’s Facebook page, “Come join us on Saturday, Dec. 6 for Hometown Holidays. There will be refreshments, caroling, and the infamous Bear Cub Run. Also, make sure you don’t miss out on our 50-percent off store closing sale.”
“Teddy Bear has been such a great community supporter, “ Pierce said, “And they’ll once again sponsor these Hometown Holiday events in the building and we’re happy that they will support us one more time.”
The MCM Group, of which Teddy Bear is a part, is a leading manufacturer of licensed products, which was founded in 1995.
According to the company’s website, “In January 2011, EBSCO acquired MCM, a leading manufacturer and distributor of licensed products to college bookstores across the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1995, MCM offers a diverse range of over 400 products, including a popular plush line called The Chelsea Teddy Bear Company, to more than 2,500 college and university bookstores. MCM is also a major supplier of logoed merchandise to the United States Military, shipping to military base stores around the world.”
“While we won’t be able to replace the Teddy Bear Company, the space is very attractive and I’m confident that there will soon be a new tenant,” Pierce said.
