Vermont Teddy Bear Co.

Ben & Jerry's, maple syrup, Bernie Sanders... some things are just so firmly tied to Vermont that merely mentioning them conjures up images of the state. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company is in that group. In the bear business for over twenty years, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company rose from humble beginnings to become the king of the stuffed animal world. Handmade in Vermont, these fully-jointed bears are available for all occasions and come in themes (complete with accessories) as diverse as Christmas, sympathy, cheerleading and bingo. The company's Bear-Gram service (available online) makes it easy to send a unique gift for under the cost of a dozen roses, and these gifts last virtually forever (and come with a lifetime guarantee).

The company's Website allows you to easily purchase bears for yourself or as gifts, or just browse through the gallery and get an idea of their wide selection. An online virtual tour gives you the opportunity to see how the bears are designed, constructed, accessorized and shipped (in boxes with airholes, or course), and you can order a catalog if you'd prefer to thumb through their bear essentials.

If you're planning on being in the Shelburne area sometime soon, consider stopping into their factory. Here you can take a tour through the factory and see how bears are made, get the history of the teddy bear and visit the Factory Bear Shop. They also sponsor parties (call 1-802-985-1339 for availability) that include a tour, teddy bear, goody bag for each child and a Ben & Jerry's ice cream cake.

For more information, stop by their Website or call the customer service number at 1-802-985-1382.