News Summary
Evi McCormick, a 16-year-old teen, faced an unexpected setback at Build-A-Bear when her tribute bear for Charlie Kirk was rejected due to an employee’s personal beliefs. Despite being a creative outing inspired by TikTok, the situation escalated when the employee denied processing the bear’s birth certificate. Evi’s experience raised questions about the intersection of personal beliefs and professional duties, resulting in an apology from Build-A-Bear and sparking discussions on respect and inclusion in public spaces.
Teen’s Dream Build-A-Bear Takes a Turn After Name Dispute
It all started as a fun, creative moment for 16-year-old Evi McCormick on a sunny September day. Inspired by a trending TikTok challenge, Evi decided to craft a special Build-A-Bear in honor of Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator who had tragically lost his life just the month before. This touching tribute was meant to celebrate the impact that Kirk had on her life, and it was a way to keep his memory alive.
But what should have been a delightful outing at the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Southcenter Mall, Tukwila, Washington, took an unexpected turn. After custom-building her bear, Evi was ready to bring her creation to life with a unique birth certificate. However, the excitement quickly fizzled when an employee voiced a **_personal disagreement_** regarding Kirk’s name.
A Distressing Denial
In an unsettling turn of events, the employee allegedly folded Evi’s birth certificate with the name **_Charlie Kirk_** on it and threw it away, refusing to process the order. This left Evi feeling completely **_upset_** and embarrassed in what was meant to be a fun experience. Her friend, Kailie Lang, stepped in to pay for the bear while Evi distanced herself from the register, along with the awkwardness of the situation.
The refusal was not just disheartening for Evi but left her friends feeling uncomfortable too. They expected a warm, welcoming environment at a place where creativity is the name of the game, not a discussion on politics. Evi’s mother, Amber McCormick, later reached out to corporate to address the poorly handled situation.
Corporate Response
Amber spent nearly an hour on the phone with a corporate representative, where she shared the details of the incident. After the conversation, she was offered a $20 gift card as compensation, a gesture that didn’t quite make up for the discomfort caused during their visit. Shortly thereafter, Build-A-Bear reached out to apologize, acknowledging that what went down should not have happened.
This incident raised some eyebrows regarding the store’s policies. While Build-A-Bear has guidelines that discourage **_indecent or distasteful names_**, the interpretation of what qualifies as such seems rather subjective. In this case, it posed a major question: Where do we draw the line between personal beliefs and professional service?
Setting an Example
Both Evi and her mother expressed a hope that this event could serve as a lesson in respecting differing beliefs. They emphasized that even in non-political environments, like a toy store, it’s vital to acknowledge and respect the varied opinions and choices people have. Every customer should feel welcome when creating their special plush companions.
Build-A-Bear Workshop has not provided further comments since the initial corporate apology, leaving many to wonder how they plan to train their employees to handle such situations in the future. The situation has sparked conversations about professionalism at work and the importance of keeping personal politics separate from customer service.
As for Evi, she can still cherish her custom bear, albeit without the original name she had in mind. It’s a reminder of a moment that was supposed to be filled with joy but turned into a reflection on respect and inclusion. At the end of the day, creating a Build-A-Bear should be a happy memory for everyone, regardless of their beliefs.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KING 5 News
- Fox Business
- OutKick
- Seattle Times
- The Center Square
- Wikipedia: Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Google Search: Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Google News: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
