ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2006--In support of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Build-A-Bear Workshop is raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Throughout the month of November, all proceeds from sales of purple satin hearts will be donated to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation and designated for JDRF.

Guests can purchase the special purple satin heart for $1 at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide. The sale of the purple satin hearts will help raise funds for children's health and wellness issues, including juvenile, or type 1, diabetes. The purple satin hearts are available in all North American Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and on the company's website at www.buildabear.com

"We are grateful to Build-A-Bear Workshop for their efforts to raise funds for diabetes research and create awareness of this debilitating disease," said Arnold Donald, president and CEO of JDRF. "We have one goal at JDRF and that is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications. Partnerships with companies like Build-A-Bear Workshop help us get closer to reaching that goal."

Since the first store opened in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop has been dedicated to issues that affect families and children. "It is our fundamental philosophy to always be involved with our Guests and the causes that are important to them. From the very beginning we have been committed to making a difference in the lives of children who need it most," said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "We know from our guests' feedback that diabetes is a growing concern and that many families are affected by the disease. Supporting JDRF through our purple satin hearts is a great way to help this cause and get our guests involved as well."

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) is the world's largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with juvenile diabetes, JDRF (www.jdrf.org) has awarded more than $1 billion to diabetes research, including more than $123 million in fiscal year 2005. In 2005, the foundation funded 500 centers, grants and fellowships in 19 countries.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop(R)

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, the company currently operates more than 260 stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The addition of franchise stores in Europe, Asia and Australia make Build-A-Bear Workshop the leader in interactive retail. In November 2004, the company expanded the make-your-own concept from stuffed animals to dolls with the opening of its first friends 2B made(R) stores, where Guests can make their own doll friends. In April 2006, Build-A-Bear Workshop acquired The Bear Factory Limited and Amsbra, Ltd. adding company-owned stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $362 million in fiscal 2005. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com and www.friends2bmade.com.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation

Founded in 2003, the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) public charity dedicated to promoting children's health and wellness, literacy and animal welfare causes.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The company currently operates more than 370 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball(R) mascot in-stadium locations, Build-A-Dino(R) stores and friends 2B made(R) doll locations. In December 2007, Build-A-Bear Workshop extended its in-store interactive experience online with the launch of its virtual world at www.buildabearville.com. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $437 million in fiscal 2006. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com and www.friends2bmade.com.

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