The Herrington Teddy Bears Story

Herrington Teddy Bears was born in 1985 when a young entrepreneur from Canada arrived in Los Angeles with a dream and a passion for business. That dream took shape when Chris Herrington created the first teddy bears for the Marina del Rey location of The Cheesecake Factory. The bears complemented a growing line of merchandise he was supplying to the restaurant and marked the beginning of what would become one of the most recognized names in branded collectible teddy bears.

In 1986, Chris introduced Herrington Teddy Bears to the iconic luxury retailer Giorgio Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive. The partnership quickly blossomed into a major national Christmas promotion, helping launch the company onto the international stage. To support the growing demand, Chris traveled to South Korea, where he began producing teddy bears overseas and met his longtime manufacturing partner, Mr. D.J. Kim—a relationship that would span decades and play a vital role in the company’s success.

Building on this momentum, Chris presented teddy bear concepts to the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles, which at the time was part of Peter Morton’s growing collection of Hard Rock Cafe locations. What began as a single order soon expanded into a worldwide program. Herrington Teddy Bears went on to create collectible teddy bears for Hard Rock Cafe locations across more than 60 countries and hundreds of cities around the globe, helping establish the company as a leader in branded teddy bear collectibles.

Over the years, Herrington Teddy Bears became known for creating premium-quality teddy bears and unique collaborative collections for some of the world’s most respected brands. The company’s growing client list included luxury retailers, hospitality companies, universities, and global corporations. Notable collaborations included The Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock Cafe, Giorgio Beverly Hills, Cartier, Mercedes-Benz, Barnes & Noble, and many others.

The company also developed collectible programs for leading colleges and universities, including Notre Dame, the University of Michigan, the University of Texas, UCLA, USC, and many more. Each collection was designed to capture the spirit and identity of the institution while maintaining the craftsmanship and attention to detail that became synonymous with the Herrington name.

One of the hallmarks of Herrington Teddy Bears has always been collaboration. Throughout its history, the company partnered with organizations around the world to create limited-edition teddy bears that celebrated brands, milestones, anniversaries, and special events. International projects included collaborations with WBA Japan, one of Japan’s leading fragrance distribution companies, for exclusive gift-with-purchase teddy bear promotions and collectible programs.

As the company evolved, Herrington Teddy Bears earned a reputation for producing some of the finest handcrafted collectible teddy bears in the world. Decades of experience, countless successful partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to quality helped establish the brand as a trusted name among collectors and organizations alike.

Today, Herrington Teddy Bears is entering an exciting new chapter. After years of creating custom collections for major brands and institutions, the company is now bringing its creativity directly to collectors through exclusive limited-edition collections available online. Inspired by the enthusiasm and loyalty of teddy bear enthusiasts around the world, Herrington Teddy Bears now offers unique collectible designs directly to consumers, allowing collectors everywhere to own a piece of the company’s rich history.

More than forty years after its founding, Herrington Teddy Bears continues to celebrate craftsmanship, creativity, and the timeless appeal of teddy bears. What began as a single teddy bear for a restaurant in Marina del Rey has grown into a worldwide legacy of collectible teddy bears cherished by generations of collectors around the globe.