Build-A-Bear chaos swept across stores in the U.S., Canada and U.K. Thursday as customers scrambled to take advantage of the toy empire's "Pay Your Age" sale.
Dozens of stores closed amid safety concerns while others have had to fend off disgruntled parents who had been queuing for several hours.
In the U.S. and Canada, Build-A-Bear Workshop announced it was turning away additional customers "due to crowds and safety concerns," KMOV reported.
"We understand some guests are disappointed and we will reach out directly as soon as possible," the company added.
Fox8 reported that those unable to get in line were offered $15 vouchers.
However, customers were not impressed.
In the U.K., a similar situation unfolded as reports filtered in of closures and chaos.
Metro noted that stock at the largest store in Birmingham had sold out by 10:50 a.m. while branches in Telford, Shropshire, Basingstoke, Hampshire, Meadowhall, Sheffield, and Solihull, West Mids. were forced to shut by lunchtime.
"It was complete madness; I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few riots over this today," said Fiona O'Reilly, who said she arrived at Newcastle's Metro Centre to find parents brawling.
"There's already people fighting in the queues," she said.
The event was announced earlier this week and was meant to launch the chain's "Count Their Candles" promotion," which allows children 14 years and younger to pay their age during their birthday month, Fox8 said.
Twitter has been flooded with complaints by angry customers.
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