Vermont Teddy Bear

The Vermont Teddy Bear Co. was founded in 1981 by John Sortino, initially selling handcrafted teddy bears from a cart in Burlington, Vermont. The company gained prominence with its "Bear-Gram" concept, allowing customers to send teddy bears as unique gifts by mail. Over the years, Vermont Teddy Bear has grown to become one of the largest producers of teddy bears by mail order and internet, handcrafting nearly 500,000 bears annually. The company prides itself on creating personalized gifts for various occasions, emphasizing a "creative alternative to sending flowers."

Vermont Teddy Bears are primarily manufactured at their factory located in Shelburne, Vermont. This domestic production is a key aspect of their brand identity, with the company emphasizing the handcrafted nature of their bears. While some materials, like certain types of fur and outfit components, may be sourced internationally, the core processes of cutting, sewing, stuffing, and stitching their classic teddy bears are done in their Vermont facility. This commitment to domestic manufacturing allows them to maintain quality control and a distinct "Made in Vermont" appeal.