Oak Brook Build-A-Bear Closes Lines For 'Pay Your Age' Promo

OAK BROOK, IL — When Build-A-Bear Workshop announced it's "Pay Your Age" promo for kids, it almost seemed too good to be true. For many parents and hopeful children heading out to claim their heavily discounted stuffed creatures Thursday, it was too good to be true. With throngs of people still waiting outside of stores, including the one at Oakbrook Center, Build-A-Bear made a decision to cut off queues across the country, citing safety reasons.

In a news release, Build-A-Bear officials said, "We have closed lines in our U.S. stores. We understand some of our Guests are disappointed and we will reach out directly as soon as possible."

As of 3 p.m., those hundreds of parents and kids who were able to get into the line at Oakbrook Center were still shuffling from foot to foot as the queue crept forward at a stuffed snail's pace. (Stuffed snails don't move either).

As tensions and tantrums continued to mount outside of Build-A-Bear stores throughout the U.S., some parents decided to abandon their efforts.

Related: Stuffing Hits The Fan As Kids Swarm Build-A-Bear Workshops

The company, which offered discount coupons to waiting customers at some locations, definitely drew some publicity with the promotion, even if everything wasn't stitched together oh-so-neatly.

Photo credit: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Build-a-Bear