A Bullish Market For Loveable Bears

By Kaaren Valenta

Linda Connolly picked up a teddy bear, straightened its straw hat, and tucked it back onto a shelf brimming with bears accessorized for every occasion.

“No one ever brings one of these back. Everyone loves bears,” she said, smiling.

Linda Connolly should know. After years of creating custom teddy bears and selling them at craft shows, she opened Linda’s Loveable Bears three years ago on P.T. Barnum Square in Bethel. Within two years she had outgrown that location and moved into her present spot at 158 Greenwood Avenue, a converted Victorian house in front of Dr Mike’s ice cream. There the rooms are filled with teddy bears of all sizes and prices, from tiny $3.95 bears to German Steiff bears that sell in the range of $400.

There are also stuffed cats and dogs, bunnies for Easter, and collectible dolls, but most of Mrs Connolly’s business focuses on teddy bears and accessories. The shop was opened as a source for adult collectors, but many of the customers now are children, especially those who attend the popular “stuff-a-bear” workshops.

“Each of the children selects an unstuffed 14-inch bear – there are three colors to choose from,” Mrs Connolly explained. “Next, they stuff the bear and select a name. The name is written on a little pink heart that is placed inside the bear before it is sewn closed. Each bear gets a colorful bandana to wear and a birth certificate.”

“The workshops are very popular,” Ms Connolly said. “Children make a teddy for themselves or a birthday bear for a friend, or a bear for Mom on Mother’s Day. One or two children can come in during regular store hours to make the bears, but if it is a group of six or more they should make a reservation.”

A Newtown resident for 25 years, Linda Connolly and her husband, Brian, have two grown sons, Michael, 27, who works for Newtown Cleaners and plays guitar in the band Moppin’ Sauce, and Chris, 26, who works for the post office. While the boys were growing up, she worked part-time as a waitress at the Sandy Hook Diner, eventually becoming an owner of the diner for a year.

“That was about six years ago,” Mrs Connolly said. “After I sold the diner to Ellie [Lewis], I started working as a waitress at Plain Janes in Bethel. I brought some of my bears there. I had a very good response. It’s a great place because of all the ladies who eat there.”

For many years Linda Connolly had thought about having her own store to sell teddy bears.

“I finally gathered up the courage to do it three years ago,” she said. “I found the spot on P.T. Barnum Square. I was really glad I did, but it turned out to be much too small. After two years there, I moved to Greenwood Avenue.”

Linda Connolly’s handmade bears have been joined by bears from all of the major manufacturers, including LL Knickerbocker, Mary Meyer, the Douglas Company, Boyds, Gund, Cottage Collectibles, and Russ Bears. There are also teddy bears made by artists in one-of-a-kind versions and tiny bears from the World of Miniatures.

Doll collectors also frequent Mrs Connolly’s shop. There they find Lee Middleton’s limited edition baby dolls, and Boyd’s Yesterday’s Child porcelain dolls, as well as porcelain dolls by other manufacturers. A popular seller is Mrs Connolly’s handmade “time-out” dolls, large winsome dolls which stand, faces buried in their arms, against a wall or staircase as punishment for being naughty.

The biggest draw at Linda’s Loveable Bears is the fact that her bears can be accessorized to fit any occasion.

“That makes it a unique gift that you won’t find anywhere else,” she explained. “For graduation, a teddy will have a cap and gown, plus a diploma with the student’s name and the school on it. For Mother’s Day, there are No 1 Mom and No 1 Grandmother, each holding a baby bear. “

The bears are dressed from a large selection of accessories – lace collars, granny glasses, pearls, straw hats – which are also available for purchase by children attending the teddy workshops.

“Bears never go out of style. I can’t think of a better gift to give anyone,” Mrs Connolly said.

Linda’s Loveable Bears is open Monday through Saturday. The workshop is open during regular business hours. The cost of the basic bear and workshop is $19.95; groups of six or more receive a 10 percent discount. Gift certificates are available. For more information call 778-BEAR (2327).