Bearista Tales

Site Updates

Hi All! Thanks to everyone who sent in photos during the summer. Life has been nuts, but we have finally had a chance to do a big site update with all of the materials that came in. So, enjoy the new pics of Local Destination bearistas from 2008 and 2009, and the new International Destination Bearistas in 2009. And, we haven't seen the last of the numbered edition bearistas... they're still coming, and in the US too. More pics to come soon.

Please keep the tips and pics coming. You make this site happen.

Major Updates

We've made some major updates catching up to all the great pictures you have sent in over the past few weeks (and even months... sorry)! Thanks for your help!

Recent posting include the latest releases including Gingerbread Boy Bearista, the new Valentine's Day Boy Bearista Bearing Flowers, and the Year of the Ox Bearista. We could use repeats of all of these, plus the Gingerbread Girl Bearista, which we still don't have a picture of. Also, we don't have any details of Bearista #80 which we think might be a girl bearista. If you know anything about #80 please drop us a comment here or email us! Thanks!

Coming Soon: Pics of Halloween Bearista(s)!

Thanks to everyone who is sending in pics of the latest bearistas -- #76 Owl and #77 Pumpkin. Sorry for being so slow about adding these pics to the site but we've been a bit swamped with our day jobs. We promise we'll get these up soon. In the meantime, keep 'em coming! You make this site what it is by sending in pics. Refer here for the list of other bearistas we still don't have pics for.

Got Pictures?

We're still looking for pics of the following bearistas from the main series and special editions. Also, we're always looking for pics from the Destination and Local series (check out those pages to see what bearistas we're missing).

Main series

• #2 - Maroon Apron Bearona (Valentine's Day) made in China

Special Editions - North America

• 2001 Pike Place Green Apron

Special Editions - International

• 2001 Japan 300th
• 2002 Spring Raincoat
• 2004 Easter Bunny
• 2004 Easter Chick
• 2005 Easter Bunny

If you've got any of these feel free to send pictures our way. Pics of hang tags or "butt labels" for bearistas we're already featuring on the site are also welcome. Email us at bearista.blog@bearistatales.com.

Update: Thanks to Jason, we've managed to knock down a couple more, includng the #5 Maroon Apron Bearona, the 2002 Pike Place Green Apron Bearista, and Destination Bearistas from Malaysia, Korea and United Arab Emirates. Keep 'em coming guys!

No More Bearistas After This Year?

Rumor has it from Starbucks Corporate that 2008 is the last year for Bearistas. So stock up now! And keep sending those photos of the 2008 Local and Destination bearistas.

Updates!

We've been making great progress adding Bearistas to the site -- from older editions including pictures of extra-large versions of Bearistas courtesy of DJ, to an almost-complete list of 2006 local Bearistas from Madfishmatt, we are filling in more content every day!

Thanks to everyone who has sent in tips and photos so far on the new 2008 International Destination Bearistas and the 2008 Local Bearistas. Keep those tips and pictures coming -- we can only do this with your help!

 

2oo8 Local Bearistas Coming Soon!

2008 Local Bearistas have been spotted and their wide release is imminent! Jean wrote in with the following tip:

I have also seen the new Local Bearista series for 2008. Rumor has it they are to be released next Tuesday the 13th.They wear the same black hat and khaki pants.  The sweatshirt is gray (I believe) with the name of the state embroidered on the front in a light green and they are carrying the cutest little messenger bags!!

Got any pictures of the new Local Bearistas in your town? Send them our way!

Update: Latest news is that the Local Bearistas will be released on May 21. Keep your eyes open!

Update 2: Jean's got the local bearista in hand already! Here's the scoop on the Local Bearista releases:

He wears the black ball cap but it just has Starbucks embroidered in white on it, no logo this time.  His sweatshirt is a pullover that's white with lime green trim around the neck and bottom of the sleeves. The state is printed in lime green on the front and he wears navy patch pocket pants.  His shoes are little slip-ons that are navy, white, light blue and brown striped with brown soles and it says "Starbucks Coffee Company 2008" on his left foot (also all in brown).  He carries a little gray messenger bag over his right shoulder that has velcro at the bottom and it actually opens but, of course there's nothing in it.

Butterfly Bearistas in the US?

Butterfly Bearistas, previously released only in Asia, have been spotted in the US. They are definitely available in at least some stores in Southern California. If anyone has any information on the tags / edition numbers, please drop us a line.

Update: Butterfly Bearistas have been spotted in the wild all over the USA, from California to Colorado to Texas. Edition numbers are the same as the earlier releases in Asia -- 73rd for the blue bearista, and 74th for the pink bearista. Main difference between the Asian releases and the US releases is that the Asian tags feature pictures of the bears, and the US tags are striped like the wings with no bear picture. BearistaTales picked up the blue butterfly bearista in Dallas today, but unfortunately the pink bearista was sold out.

Thanks to everyone who wrote in with tips! (BTW, if you didn't hear back from me via email, I tried to reply but your email address didn't work. Thanks for writing in.)

New 2008 Destination Bears!

New Destination Bears are beginning to appear! Dennis sent us the following tip:

Philippines just came out with Bearista Destination for 2008.  This one wearing cap and green starbucks jacket zipped up halfway with white turtleneck inside. It is holding white flag on its left hand with Philippines written on one side and Philipinas written on the other side.  Foot has the typical Bearista 2008 logo on it.

Keep those tips coming! Drop us a line if you have any information about the new Bearista Destination bears (places, edition numbers, photos).

Update: And the new Malaysia bear is out too! Now's the time to begin looking for those 2008 Destination Bearistas!

Good News From Kristin's Bearista Blog!

Kristin Bell has a great new Bearista Blog up and running, and she's the bearer of good news!

Okay, well I just talked to someone at Starbucks Customer Relations and this person told me that they are “definitely NOT” discontinuing the Bearista Bears in the United States, so all of you collectors out there don’t need to fret. It seems Starbucks will still be churning out the bears for some time to come! Yay! Bring on the bears! (link)

Thanks Kristin for going the extra mile to get that nugget of info! We look forward to more bearistas to come! And props to Kristin for the starts of a great site featuring her collection.

Over here, we are gradually putting up all the pictures we've gotten. So if you don't see yours yet, stay tuned!