Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. to Locate Company-Owned Distribution Center in Columbus, Ohio

"Our company has significantly broadened its national storepresence over the past several years, and we have ambitious plans forfuture growth," said Barry Erdos, president and chief operatingofficer bear. "We believe our new, centrally located state-of-the-artcompany-owned distribution facility will improve inventory control andmanagement, realize greater efficiencies, and reduce operating costs.We appreciate the cooperation and support we have received from thecity of Columbus and from the Village of Groveport. We look forward tobuilding a long and lasting relationship with this community."

The Groveport distribution center will initially employapproximately 100 associates. The company anticipates hiring for thenew facility will begin in mid-2006. The facility is expected tobecome fully operational beginning in September 2006. The companyexpects capital expenditures associated with the new distributioncenter will total approximately $24 million.

Build-A-Bear Workshop currently utilizes three distributioncenters operated by third-party providers. These distribution centersare located in St. Louis, Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles. The companywill continue to utilize third party distribution centers in Torontoand Los Angeles and will transition the St. Louis center to adistribution pool point for local markets after September 2006. "Ourpartnership with JS Logistics has been both positive and supportive.As fellow entrepreneurs the management at JS shares our commitment togrowth and we look forward to a continuing partnership" said Erdos.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is the only global company thatoffers an interactive make-your-own-stuffed animalretail-entertainment experience. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, thecompany currently operates more than 200 stores in the United Statesand Canada. The addition of stores in Europe, Asia and Australia makeBuild-A-Bear Workshop the leader in the teddy bear business. InNovember 2004, the company expanded the make-your-own concept fromstuffed animals to dolls with the opening of its first friends 2Bmade(R) stores, which feature doll making. Build-A-Bear Workshop(NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $302 million in fiscal 2004. Formore information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the company'saward-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com andwww.friends2bmade.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" (withinthe meaning of the federal securities laws) which represent theCompany's expectations or beliefs with respect to future events. Theseforward-looking statements are subject to certain risks anduncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materiallyfrom those anticipated. Those factors include, without limitation: wemay be unable to generate comparable store sales growth; our marketinginitiatives may not generate sufficient brand awareness and sales; wemay be unable to effectively manage our international franchises orcomply with changing laws relating thereto; we may be unable togenerate demand for our retail experience, or to respond to consumerpreferences; customer mall traffic may decrease, as a result ofvarious factors, including a reduction of consumer confidence becauseof terrorism or war; general economic conditions may worsen; ourmarket share could be adversely affected by competitors; we may losekey personnel, or be unable to hire qualified additional personnel;vendor deliveries may be disrupted; the availability and costs of ourproducts could be impacted by international manufacturing and tradeissues; our warehousing and distribution vendors may perform poorly;we may fail to protect our intellectual property and may haveinfringement, misappropriation or other disputes or litigation withthird parties; we may be unable to open new stores, renew or replaceour store leases, enter into leases for new stores on favorable terms,or continue to comply with our current leases; we may experiencecommunications or information systems failures; we may suffer negativepublicity or be sued due to alleged violations of labor laws, employeeregulations or unethical practices, either by the Company or itsmerchandise manufacturers; and we may violate or be accused ofviolating privacy or security laws by reason of improperly obtainingor failing to adequately protect Guest information. These and otherapplicable risks, cautionary statements and factors that could causeactual results to differ from the Company's forward-looking statementsare included in the Company's filings with the SEC, specifically asdescribed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscalyear ended December 31, 2004. The Company undertakes no obligation toupdate or revise any forward- looking statements to reflect subsequentevents or circumstances even if experience or future changes make itclear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will notbe realized.