First time at Build a bear! Took my daughter so she can get her birthday bear!! The staff were very friendly and helpful. They explained the whole process. It was a very fun and memorable experience. We got to pick her bear and a cute outfit with one accessory. We also did a voice recording and placed it inside the bear with a heart. You get to create your own bears birth certificate. That was fun! They have super cute accessories and outfits for your bear. Can't wait to come back!! The read more

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Considering no one in the store was actually purchasing anything when we visited on a Sunday afternoon, I was utterly blindsided by the lack of service we experienced. There were about 5-6 staff in the shop and about 4 other customers, none of the staff was serving or talking to customers, all staff were talking among themselves, not even one pretending to work, except for one filling the machine. Not a single staff welcomed us as we walked in, but I just let that go as my daughter was so excited just to be there and we were actually ready to purchase. We walked around the store to figure out the process, and my daughter kept asking me how it worked and what the bears came with, it was not confusing, but it would have been nice to have someone answer our questions and explain it to us. I've been to other Build-A-Bear workshops and have never had such a poor experience. I stood around walking the shop for at least 5 minutes (an eternity in retail) until I could not wait any longer and walked right up to a staff at the front, they made no eye contact, and then one of them even walked away as I walked over. The other one, I had to walk up to her to get her attention and say hi just to get her attention, and it almost seemed as if she was bothered that I was interrupting her. I understand that Build-A-Bear as a corporation is highly profitable, but it would be a shame if we can no longer expect the customer experience that made them successful, not coaching better staff behavior and processes. I wish there was another location nearby so we didn't have buy from this one, the experience gave me such a sick feeling in my stomach that I changed my mind about buying this time as I couldn't bring myself to give them a single dollar until they get their act together. The last Build-A-Bear location I've been to was inside the Great Wolf Lodge in Anaheim, and it was an entirely different experience. So fun, staff so friendly, everyone just felt the magic, and we didn't even buy anything that time, but that experience made us come in today ready to buy, and how this Spectrum location ruined everything. Staff apathy can make or break a retail experience and it's just so sad that either passive management, little to no training and/or bad hiring or all of the above made this experience so poor. read more

The worst experience i had!!! Employee BETSY WAS DISGUSTING AND A LIAR! Unfortunately, her best friend was the manager ALEX and they teamed up and refused to help me! I went in for my sons birthday and he got what he wanted and we went to pay. My sister paid before me and was offered a gift card for $5 and it would have a balance of $10, before purchasing I asked if we were able to use that on my transaction after my sister was done, cashier BETSY told me sure! When it was my dream to check out, she told me oh I forgot you have to wait a 24 hour. Period I told her that that's not what you said she said yeah I forgot I can return the gift card for you. I told her yes because i dont live near a store and it was just a gift i wasnt sure when I will come back and use it so go ahead and refund please. She told me I would have to wait for a manager so she goes to the back room for about five minutes and they both walk out laughing. Manager "ALEX" didnt even ask what cab i help you with just walked put and said everyone refund call corporate. I said what can I explain what your cashier told me he said nope if you don't wanna call corporate, I can call Security and have you guys escorted out. my kids were crying and upset, and it was an embarrassing situation! I told Alex to ask the cashier why she told me I could refund it and the cashier lied in front of me and said I never said that!!!! I will not return to this store and it was just digesting behavior and as we walk out betsy wants to stick her tongue out at my kids and laugh!!!! They refused to sell me the plush my son already made! read more

It was my sons first birthday and we had the best experience here! We wanted to do the Happy Birthday bear you get for your birthday and it was great! The bear was a $1 since he turned one! Caroline was such a huge help! She was so kind and friendly and truly made our experience from good to great! She was so patient and explained everything so well! We decided to go with the birthday bundle for the bear that cost $25 and you get a whole outfit, cute cupcake bracelet and a sound that you can put in the bear! My husband and I recorded ourselves telling our son happy birthday, we loved it! We were able to put a heart inside the bear and make the bear a birth certificate! He got a cute bear birthday crown as well! I definitely recommend coming here to do your Build-A-Bear experience!! read more

This was not planned but long overdue. We needed to pick up a special furry friend for a 2nd birthday. Talia helped us with the filling and recording of a message. We also added a heart inside. We picked up a leash and a gift card as well. Everyone was so upbeat and happy to be working there. It's been over 15 years since I've been in a store. Their location has plenty of sitting areas and a water fountain right outside. The parking was probably my least favorite of our day here at the spectrum. We were on the rooftop of the parking structure and it took over 30 minutes to exit. read more

First time coming to this store and it was super fun. Friendly staff and they are knowledgeable about all kinds of bears and their accessories. I came here to pick out a graduation bear for my kiddos and got to accessorize them as well. You also have the option of putting a personalized message/sound so that was fun! Good value as it's personalized. I also got extra outfits and accessories for my kiddos to change up their bear looks! read more

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We stopped in to pick up a new box after a mishap at home. My kiddos dough eyes after a really difficult day, caught me to somehow agreed to another purchase here. The gentleman that helped us was named Joshua and he was exceptional. He was attentive, friendly, and just overall really helpful. My daughter was able to pick out something that she really liked although I noticed the price point was a bit more than what it was when the location was at the Mission Viejo mall, which I get because we're at the spectrum so whatever. I think everything was really great except for they didn't have the grooming stations for the stuffy's. That has been a consistent part of the experience for my daughter over the last few years. I think if that grooming station was also at this location, it would've been a perfect experience. We definitely couldn't ask for more from the level of service we got from Josh and look forward to seeing him again. read more

The store has a lot of cute selections of stuff toys esp. for spring. From big to small and they have cute key chains perfect for gifting.

The girls love this place! They have a great selection and good price range with lots of choices in the different price range. If your girls are in Girl Scouts, they even have a special Girl Scout package with Girl Scout bear, complete with vest, choice of numbers, and clothes. My girl opted for a pineapplato, because she's into axolotls with a Girl Scout vest. The service is wonderful. The ladies there were very patient and courteous with our group. read more

Story time: I was working in Costa Mesa this past week. I'm a happily married man with two beautiful daughters, one of whom is obsessed with Bluey. It was this past Friday, after a 14 hour day, that I was set to drive home to my family in San Francisco, whom I had never been away from for more than a day, when I decided to drive to the Irvine Spectrum Center and go to Build A Bear in my dirty work clothes. I found the newest Muffin plush and her Granny's outfit (my daughter already had the Bingo and Bluey Grannies). I was then greeted by Zaira, who helped me bring Muffin to life. She was so kind and genuine; it was obvious she truly enjoys her job. She asked if I wanted the full experience or the shortened routine. I went with the full experience and did all the steps to bring Muffin's heart to life. During the process, Zaira and I chatted. She is familiar with the SF Bay Area, having attended Cal Berkeley, which is one of the best schools in all of California. It was awesome to hear that a Latina attended such a prestigious school. I'm sure her family is very proud, as I, a complete stranger, am as well. Zaira, wished me a safe drive, and I took my co pilot Muffin on a 7.5 hour drive, getting home at 2 a.m. I set up Muffin where my daughter would see it when she woke up. Muffin and my daughter Eliana have been inseparable since, and it's thanks to the awesome customer service from Zaira, who could've easily given bad service to a carpenter who worked 14 hours that day in dirty clothes but decided to be absolutely amazing despite all that. My family and I are rooting for you and wish you success in all your future endeavors. read more

I wanted to give a special shout out to Caroline, who helped us with my son's 1st birthday bear and my 3 year old's mini dinosaur. She was so great with the whole process of stuffing the bear and my 3 year old really wanted to do the same with his mini dinosaur. The mini dinosaur can't be stuffed since they're already premade but she reenacted the whole process for my 3 year old and made him feel so special too. It was the cutest thing to watch and she was so great with my kids. Thank you Caroline! You really made our visit here so wonderful. :) read more

This location is great! The store is clean, well organized, and the staff is lovely to interact with. I wanted the new Wicked Collection items and all three employees I interacted with made it such a positive and memorable experience for me. Shout out to Kelly for helping me pick out the sound buttons for my bears, Sanam for helping me stuff my bears with love, and especially Josh at the register for the laughs and great conversation at the register! I'll be back at this location again for future purchases. read more