In Depth:

Friday, January 28, 2000

Maxine Clark

Chief executive bear, Build-A-Bear Workshop

St. Louis Business Journal

Trained at May Department Stores Inc., retailer Maxine Clark left the top post at Payless ShoeSource Inc. in 1996 on a not entirely happy note. Fueled by a passion for teddy bears, Clark came roaring back as an entrepreneur to found Build-A-Bear Workshop. She invested $750,000 of her own money, then pulled in more than $11 million in venture capital. The chain now includes 14 stores in premier malls from coast to coast. It's on track to open 25 more stores in 2000 and is expected to go public well before its 10th anniversary. Quality control and keeping the concept fresh will be challenges as the chain expands.

"St. Louis, due to its central location and supportive business community, will be the No. 1 city in the U.S. to start a business in any sector." -- Maxine Clark


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