OVERLAND, Mo. (AP) - Missouri-based Build-A-Bear Workshop says five of its stores in Japan are closed in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the suburban St. Louis company has a franchisee who runs nine stores in Japan. The company says all workers in the stores located in shopping malls are safe.
A Build-A-Bear franchised store in Bahrain also was recently closed because of political turmoil in that country.
In addition to company-owned stores in the United Kingdom, Build-A-Bear has franchisee agreements in a dozen countries.
Build-A-Bear's foundation has announced a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan.