BUILD-A-BEAR CHAOS: Sale shut down after unprecedented lines at malls

CONCORD, N.C. — A toy company's one-day-only special pricing event is causing major havoc at malls across the country, including in Charlotte.

Local malls saw large crowds Thursday because of the 'Pay-Your-Age Day' at Build-A-Bear.

Never thought I’d be tweeting about this. Build-A-Bear offers “pay your child’s age” promotion at stores nationwide. This is Carolina Place Mall. Some I talked to have been in line 3 hours. Others went home frustrated with a voucher for $15 off. Police are limiting crowds. pic.twitter.com/tLAAnkBL2V
— Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) July 12, 2018

Build-A-Bear Workshop was offering a new age-based promotion -- where you pay an amount equal to your age for one of the company’s stuffed animals.

Concord Mills officials said they had longer than expected lines because of an unprecedented response to the sale.

(VIDEO: Get In Photo Booth)

Based on unprecedented response to the Pay Your Age Day, we have longer than expected lines & large crowds. Local authorities are requiring us to limit the lines due to safety concerns. Build A Bear is working to address the situation, & will be reaching out to our guests soon. pic.twitter.com/nJYy6pu1KZ
— Concord Mills (@ConcordMillsNC) July 12, 2018

Officials said authorities asked them to limit the lines due to safety concerns.

[PHOTOS: Long lines at local malls for Build-A-Bear sale]

Viewer Lukas Hopper sent Channel 9 video of the crowds inside Carolina Place Mall. The lines wrapped around the interior perimeter of the mall and spilled outside as well.

Build-A-Bear released a statement saying, "Based on the unprecedented response to our Pay Your Age Day event in our early opening stores, we are experiencing significantly longer than expected lines and large crowds. Local authorities are requiring us to limit the lines and crowds due to safety concerns. We understand this is disappointing, we are working to address the situation, and we will be reaching out to our valued guests soon."

Build-A-Bear posted an alert on its website around 11:30 a.m. that said all stores have closed the lines for the sale.

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