Bear Enters Gatlinburg Tea Shop, Jumps on Counter During 15-Minute Visit

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 23

A young bear wandered into The Spice & Tea Exchange in Gatlinburg on Friday, rummaged through merchandise and leapt onto the counter during a 10- to 15-minute encounter caught on video.
The animal appeared to be searching for food, tearing into a sweet-tea blend and investigating tea diffusers while a clerk moved a visiting couple behind the register near an emergency exit.
An air horn from a neighboring store had little effect, and the bear ran out on its own before the couple used a second-floor exit; staff then shut the door and waited before leaving.
Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card were in town for their seventh anniversary and said the bear seemed curious rather than aggressive, though it came within about 8 feet of them.
Store employees told the couple the same young bear had entered earlier in the week, suggesting the shop may have become a repeat stop.