Some Background History about Annette Funicello

Annette Funicello (of Mickey Mouse Club and teen beach movie fame) founded the Annette Funicello Collectible Bear Company in 1992 to fund research of neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, with which she had been diagnosed in 1987. Funicello teamed with world-renowned Teddy bear artists "to share with people all over the world the comfort and love a Teddy bear brings."

In 1996, Funicello received the Teddy Bear Review Lifetime Achievement Award – the first person ever to receive the honor. Annette's bears also were the first collectible bears offered on the QVC shop-at-home network.

L.L. Knickerbocker was the first to manufacture Annette Funicello Collectible Bears, followed by Papel Giftware. The newest products are manufactured and distributed by the Annette Funicello Bear Company itself – giving Annette more control over the process than ever before.

Annette Funicello produced a line of teddy bears for the Annette Funicello Collectible Bear Company from 1992 until the last collection was made in 2004.  The closing was quick and announced, which shocked teddy bear shops and collector's.  Her line of bears can be found on E-bay for those who still wish to buy her bears.

She partnered with talented teddy bear artists from around the world to make bears for her company. Each bear comes with Annette’s signature logo pin, sewn in label and comes in a gift box with a hand tag and a certificate of authenticity.

Annette Funicello bears were issued in a series of collections that are now retired. Some of her collections include:
                              Angel Bears
                             Bear Buds
                            Bears Of The Sea
                            Beary “Licious
                            Holiday Collection
                            Spring Collection

Annette Funicello suffered from multiple sclerosis (MS) and donated a portion of the profits from the sale of her teddy bears and other enterprises to MS research and the Annette Funicello Fund for Neurological Disorders.

On October 6, 2012, the CTV flagship current affairs program W5 profiled Funicello as an update on her after she had spent fifteen years out of the public eye. The profile revealed that her disease had severely damaged her nervous system; Funicello had lost the ability to walk in 2004, the ability to speak in 2009, and, at the time of the profile, she required round-the-clock care in order to survive. In the profile, Holt and Fabares discussed Funicello's state at the time, as well as the numerous medical interventions and treatments that had been attempted in order to improve her condition.

Sadly on April 8, 2013, Funicello died at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, California, at the age of 70, from complications due to multiple sclerosis.^[ At the time of her death Annette's family was with her. Her funeral was  private and held on April 12, 2013, at the Cherished Memories Memorial Chapel in Bakersfield, CA. Commenting on her death, Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said,

"Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word Mouseketeer, and a true Disney Legend. She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney's brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent. Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace. All of us at Disney join with family, friends, and fans around the world in celebrating her extraordinary life."

Please note that the bears pictured in this article are not available at Keillor's A Teddy Bear Shoppe and are used as illustration purposes.

Celebrating 17 years in business

Today marks 17 wonderful years in business. I can't hardly believe that it has been that many years. Where does the time go?

 I started out in North Canton at the Baker's Dozen Mini-Mall on South Main in 1997.  Maybe some of you remember that year and a half I was there?  That beginning year, the biggest hurdle was people discovering the shop and what I was doing. Incredible customers have always been the backbone and life-blood of this business, and for that I am deeply and forever thankful.

From the Baker's Dozen Mini-Mall  I moved in  down by Logan's Sporting Goods, also on South Main.  Just a few block down the street. During this time I also running a space on Butterbridge Road at the old Blue Craft Barn. The Logan location closed, and I then occupied the lower level of the Blue Craft Barn space.

When the Butterbridge space closed, I moved to Wilmot and was there a year and half. A barn space filled with antiques before reaching my third floor space.  Thank heavens I'm not there now as I don't believe--- as I grow older--- I could do those stairs.

At the same time I was in Wilmot I ran a Cherry Street location. That of course is in Canal Fulton and the space was behind The Mercantile. The Mercantile if you remember was ran by Rochelle Rossi. Those earliest years I carried so many brands of teddy bears I still wonder how I kept it all straight. 

Some of those earlier years I carried brands that are no longer available today.  Such as Annette Funicello, Knickerbocker, Cottage Collectibles, and Effanbee Bears those bears that are now only available on E-bay.  Who would have ever guessed that some of that stock has risen, and some of it has not.  All you need to do is take a look on E-bay and discover that it is such a wide price range.

The owners of the Wilmot Antique Barn decided to close, this current building became available.  Everything came here in 1999. This has been a permanent home for the business.  No more moving, no more starting over and I cherish being here.

In all those years many customers have been so loyal in following me to all of those locations and continue to be loyal and faithful.  Customers from years ago and even the "brand new" ones who walk in my door today--- in many instances have become extended family, which I am extremely happy to have.  For it is the customers who truly make this business what it is.

Events have played a part in this location from Linda Fulmer who operated Bebe Bears.  Bebe Bears, unfortunately is now no longer making bears. Then there was Cindy Maguire who operated China Cupboard-- and is still in business.  Leann Snyder who operated Busser Bears which is no longer in  business.    Last September brought Felicia Hymer the "Bear Scout" and countless artesian bears to Canal Fulton for a one day super event.

Steiff Events have been so much fun with Dick Franz (the Steiff USA Archivist) here over the years. I've enjoyed showing the Steiff line twice a year.  I need to thank Cherie Baer Graham who has served as the Certified Steiff Repair/Restorer for years and the Steiff Company for their giveaway door prizes which make hose events so popular with collectors.

The future holds a special place in my heart, in large part because of the efforts of Charlie Dale, who is attempting to get my presence more internet and Facebook focused and is helping me with this blog, which you have been reading.  Future plans include my being on Twitter!

Hopefully the next 100 years-- when were all old and grey--- business will just as fun, warm, wonderful and fuzzy! So drop in, and say hello, whether you've been with me all these years or if your brand new to the area looking to buy a "forever" friend.