Handmade teddy bears, born in Vermont since 1981
✅ Made in USA
Where Vermont Teddy Bear products are made
Shelburne, Vermont
A ~170-person “Bear Crew” cuts, sews, stuffs and stitches the classic bears on-site.
Born in Vermont
Classic bears use US-made eyes, joints and suede, with fur largely from Wisconsin.
Hybrid line
Lower-priced “hybrid” bears begin abroad and are finished in Vermont; many outfits are imported.
Classic Vermont Teddy Bears are handmade in Shelburne, Vermont. The lower-priced ‘hybrid’ bears are cut and partially sewn in China then finished in Vermont, and many outfits are sourced abroad — the ‘Born in Vermont’ classic bears are the fully US-handmade ones.
The story
Vermont Teddy Bear started with one man and a pushcart. In 1981, John Sortino set up on Burlington’s Church Street selling teddy bears he sewed in his garage. The idea to mail bears nationwide came almost by accident, when a visiting tourist asked to have one shipped home — and the ‘Bear-Gram’ was born. Today the company makes close to half a million bears a year, each still cut, sewn, stuffed and stitched by hand.
In 1995 the company moved into its Shelburne headquarters in Vermont’s Champlain Valley, where its factory now welcomes more than 50,000 visitors a year for tours. Its roughly 170-person ‘Bear Crew’ handcrafts the classic bears on-site, using US-made eyes, joints and suede details and fur largely from Wisconsin. The company is candid about the exceptions: its budget hybrid bears begin abroad before being finished in Vermont, and many outfits are sourced worldwide — but the classic, ‘Born in Vermont’ bears are genuinely handmade in the USA and carry an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
It started with a pushcart on Church Street — now half a million handmade bears a year.
Why they matter
Stuffed toys are almost entirely imported, so a teddy bear genuinely handmade in Vermont is a rare find.
Buying a classic Vermont Teddy Bear supports about 170 year-round craft jobs in Shelburne, Vermont.
Featured products
Browse Vermont Teddy Bear products available now in the Buy American store.
Frequently asked questions
Are Vermont Teddy Bears really made in the USA?
Yes — classic Vermont Teddy Bears are handmade in Shelburne, Vermont, and have been cut, sewn, stuffed and stitched in the USA since 1981, with US-made eyes, joints and suede details.
Are any Vermont Teddy Bear products made overseas?
The lower-priced ‘hybrid’ bears are cut and partially sewn in China, then stuffed and finished in Vermont, and many outfits are sourced abroad. The classic bears, identified by their ‘Born in Vermont’ eyes, are USA-handmade.
Can I visit the factory?
Yes — the Shelburne, Vermont factory offers tours and hosts over 50,000 visitors a year. Every classic bear also comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
