By By LYDIA GRIMES – features writer
A little magic happens at Brewton store Jus Do. The store is now home to an enchanted forest where animals come to life with a little stuffing and a lot of love.
Last week, Brownies and Girl Scouts from Troop 423 held a teddy bear party to learn about the animals - and choose one of their own to take home.
Jus Do owner Melanie McGougin told the girls a story about Mr. and Mrs. Bear, who wanted so much for a bear of their own to love. So they asked Fairy Bear, who lived in the Magic Forest, for a special bear - and she gave them Ronnie.
One by one, the girls chose their animals - from a menagerie that includes bears, dogs, cats, even monsters, and everything in between.
Then they took their animals to Jus Do's LaRae Boyd, who quickly fills the bears with fluffy white stuffing, one limb at a time.
The last step before the bears are sewn up is where most of the magic comes in - each girl chose a star, made a wish, and left it inside the bear for safe-keeping.
Then the girls chose new outfits for their bears - cheerleader skirts, feather boas and even swimsuits are available. Each bear also gets a birth certificate, and the children choose a special name for their animals.
Troop 423 earned their trip to get new bears by selling Girl Scout cookies, troop leader Tyree Newkirk said.
Teddy bear parties are also popular for birthdays and other special occasions, McGougin said. And children can also come into the store to get a bear on their own.
Animals cost between $13 and $18, and clothes range from $4 to $15. Anyone interested in a teddy bear party can call Jus Do at 867-8686. A $25 deposit is required and will be credited to the final bill; the price of the bears includes the cost of the party.