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Boyds Bears


Boyds Bears is a line of collectible resin and stuffed teddy bears being sold at The Boyds Bears Store http://www.TheBoydsBearsStore.com Boyds was acquired in 2008 by Enesco whom in 2014 announced the company had "made the difficult strategic decision to place Boyds into hibernation". This announcement was communicated to retailers via an email from Michael Griffith, Senior Vice President, U.S. Sales.

Boyds Bears was founded by Gary M. Lowenthal and his wife, Justina Unger. They were owners of an antique shop, which although profitable, found difficulty maintaining an inventory of well priced antiques. They then turned to making and selling antique reproductions. Some of their more profitable reproductions included duck decoys. In 1984 they began sculpting with resin, at first making a line of miniature houses called "The Gnomes Homes". The first bear was a stuffed bear made for the couple's newborn son, Matthew. They began making and selling stuffed bears, and the bears became known as "Boyds Bears" for the town of Boyds, Maryland, where they lived and operated their business. The line of plush bears and hares was a hugely popular success, and in 1993 Boyds introduced the first resin bears. The Boyds company has several product lines, but the bears remained the most successful.Enesco acquired the company in 2008 and retired the line in 2014.

The Boyds Bears official fan club was called the "Loyal Order of Friends of Boyds!" It was founded in 1996. Membership cost US$29.99 for the 2007 kit, which included an exclusive denim tote, a 10" plush bear, bearstone and bearware member pin (all items were of coordinating colors). Newly designed kits were available annually. Benefits included exclusive members-only collectors items, an online newsletter and access to a members-only website.

On August 14, 2014, Enesco announced that 2014 was to be the final year of the Friends of Boyds collector's club, and that retailer orders for the 2015 membership kit had been canceled. Previous Membership Kits can be purchased at The Boyds Bears Store http://www.TheBoydsBearsStore.com

Boyds products have won numerous awards in the toy and doll collectible circles. Some of these include Teddy Bear of the Year Awards, Doll of the Year Awards, Golden Teddy Awards, and National Association of Limited Edition Dealers Achievement Awards.


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