Boyd's Bears

[shopndrop]

What happened to the wild & crazy guy that used to be on for Boyd's Bears? I seem to remember something being implied about an inappropriate exchange with Mary Beth Roe...but can't say for sure.

[worcester]

I think he retired because of an illness, although I don't remember them ever saying what illness....I really miss him, he was a hoot!

[Beve1]

I was listening to a show of the bears before Gary Lowenthal retired. MaryBeth Roe said he wasnt well. Everyone was sending emails to wish him a speedy recovery. I thought, but really not sure, that he had cancer. I wrote to MaryBeth and she denied she ever said he was sick. She lied1!

Does anyone know the truth about this?

[UPSlvsme]

I never did find out what exactly is/was wrong with Gary, but I know I heard that he was ill.

Question for anyone - where can I get a pair of the ears that Liz wears? I don't think QVC sells them!

[LJC]

Did you try Boyd's website? You may be able to get them direct.
And if you are close enough, their store in Gettysburg probably has them.

[sunshine12]

I heard that he had a heart condition and sold the company.

[juicesjoke]

He died, oh well, sucks to be him I guess. No one liked his dumbass bears anyways.

[sunshine12]

Who said he died?

[Beve1]

Sunshine, don't listen to that moron. Juices likes to be here just to annoy and irritate. He is a frustrated excuse for a human bean.

[momof3]

Gary Lowenthal is still alive. I am a club member and I don't remember if his specific condition was stated. Gary also made some controversial comments on his last broadcast so I think this was a factor in the decision to have Liz Smith replace Gary.

[opie'smom]

i love boyd's bears and have a absolutely stupid number of them but they make me smile. when The Head Bean (Gary) was on QVC shows i always got the impression he was either drunk or high. another presenter - like susan graver - that either can't or won't shut up.

[R2Garnets]

Whenever I saw him hawking the bears, it seemed he was always making inappropriate comments and then laughing them off. He seemed very creepy to me. I couldn't understand how Mary Beth could tolerate him - she giggled a lot too but he reminded me of a pervert!

[UPSlvsme]

LJC - thanks, but I tried their website and couldn't find them there either. I e-mailed Mary Beth & asked her about them. Let's see if I get a reply.
P.S. I'm in NJ - about 20 minutes outside of NYC - so going to Gettysburg isn't really an option for me. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

[GRAMMAJO]

Hi ,

I also am new and wanted to tell you where i
bought my Boyds Bear ears, . I too had watched
for years ans saw Gary wear them etc. While
visiting my grandchildren in colorado i went to
the mall the in the store called Coach House cards
and gifts, that is where i found them. They had
tons of Boyds Bears also.The ears were $6.00.

Hope this helps and you are able to find them

Happy hunting
grammajo

[Beve1]

Welcome GrandmaJo...Although I don't need the ears, they are adorable.
I love the bears and have too many, and keep buying more.

Glad to have you join in, and most of all have fun, and feel free to express yourself and your opinions.

Beve

[UPSlvsme]

Grammajo - Thank you, thank you and welcome to the board. What part of Colorado were you in? I have cousins out there so maybe they could get them for me.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[GRAMMAJO]

Hi UPSLVSME,

I got them at the mesa mall in grand junction colorado . The store was a Boyds heaven for me and it was last july when i purchased them. I thought qvc would eventually sell them as lots of calls came in requesting, and maybe they did at some time. Any way I had almost forgotten about them and while looking for bears found them.

Good luck

grammajo

[UPSlvsme]

Grammajo-

What a small world - Grand Junction is where my cousins live! I'll e-mail them right now & tell them to look for me. Thank you so, so much!

Deb

[SIRGAL]

I'm from Pennsylvania and will be in the Gettysburg area on Thursday. I plan to stop by Bear Country. I no longer collect, but want to see the place anyway. If I see ears I will check the price and also try to find out if things can be ordered from them. Even if you find them elsewhere, someone else may be interested. I love Boyds Bears, especially critters other than bears. I think they have the most adorable faces but did stop collecting since my house over floweth if you know what I mean.

I thought Gary was funny when he was on, but so full of himself he was obnoxious. He constantly complained if the host did a spot for another product hour. Said it was his time. Things like that. Liz Smith used to mention him, but I haven't seen the last couple of shows.

[UPSlvsme]

SIRGAL,

Thanks so much, that's sweet of you. I know what you mean about "my house overfloweth". I haven't bought any bears in years except for 2 mini ones that only come out at Christmas. But I still watch the shows and "window shop".
Please let me know how Bear Country is - I'd love to go.

Deb

[SIRGAL]

Sure will. We leave in the morning and plan to spend some time antiquing in the general area besides getting our "fix" on bears.

[UPSlvsme]

Have a safe trip & enjoy!

[LJC]

Enjoy your trip, SIRGAL.

[Zirf]

Here's is another ex-collector. I finally got a grip and realized that I already have too many, none of which are on display, but are all stored away, so what's the point.

Yes, Gary always complained on air whenever they would "advertise" other items during his time. I don't know if he actually meant to say it in just a joking manner, but it didn't always come across that way. He seemed to be within an inch of walking off the set in protest because another vendor's wares were being hawked while he was on air. I guess he could have come across as sleazy, but I found the Boyds shows to be entertaining when he was on. Liz seems to be a great person, but doesn't have the outrageous personality that he had. I find I don't seem to care whether or not I miss the Boyds shows now. (Besides the fact that if I don't see something, I don't feel like I have to buy it!)

Boyds fans, did you know they are building a second store (bear barn) in Pigeon Forge, TN?

I was in the club the first 3 years, but then decided that I didn't have room to keep all the membership kit items. I do miss getting the newsletter though, except I found the "folksy" way it was written was hard to follow sometimes. I read in my email from them that at the club meeting in June they are going to introduce their new CEO. Does that mean Gary has stepped out of the business completely? Is he still part of the company (like a major stock holder or owner?)

[SIRGAL]

To UPSlvsme and anyone else interested in Bear ears. I did check on the ears at Bear Country in Gettysburg. They do sell them there for $5.95. Boyd's Bears does not do internet or direct mail business from that location. The item is in the Boyd's catalog. It is called Matthew's Spare Bear Ears and the item # is 6750. If I understand correctly what I was told, if any retailer carrying Boyd's does not carry the ears it would be possible for them to order them from the catalog.

Bear Country was fun but a little overwhelming. It is cute and has a lot of theme areas. There were many choices, but certainly not the whole line. We sure had our fill of bears by the time we left.

[SIRGAL]

Bumpin since the board was really busy the last day or two. See previous post for the little information I could get about the ears.

I didn't ask about Gary. The history section tells all about him and his wife and what they did before they started the company, etc. There is no sign anywhere at Bear Country about any change of ownership.

[UPSlvsme]

SIRGAL - Thanks so much for the info. from "Bear Country". I'll check for stores near me that sell Boyds merchandise. Did you buy anything on your trip?

[SIRGAL]

I did buy a few things. I got two little bears connected by hearts for my recently engaged daughter and a small gray rabbit holding a pillow which says "A Little Gray Hair Never Hurt Anyone" for myself. And of course, a t-shirt and a very filling lunch. It was a fun few hours.

[UPSlvsme]

It sounds great - I'll have to plan a road trip.
Congratulations to your daughter!