Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card were celebrating their seventh anniversary in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, when a young bear entered a tea shop they were visiting. The animal moved through the store, tore into a sweet-tea blend and investigated tea diffusers before jumping onto the counter. The unusual encounter lasted roughly 10 to 15 minutes and was recorded by Card.
The couple said the bear appeared curious rather than aggressive, but its unpredictable behavior prompted them to move behind the register near an emergency exit. Employees later told them the animal may have visited the shop earlier in the week.
| 1) | Bear enters the Gatlinburg tea shop |
| 2) | Couple follows safety guidance |
| 3) | The bear explores the merchandise |
| 4) | A startling jump onto the counter |
| 5) | The encounter ends without injuries |
Bear enters the Gatlinburg tea shop
The encounter took place Friday at The Spice & Tea Exchange in Gatlinburg, where Puyol and Card had stopped during their anniversary getaway. Card first noticed the bear near the entrance and alerted Puyol and a store clerk. Puyol said she initially did not process what was happening until the others repeated the warning and she saw the animal standing in the doorway.
The bear then moved farther inside instead of leaving. The unexpected visit drew the attention of people outside the store, turning an ordinary shopping stop into a public wildlife encounter.
Couple follows safety guidance
The couple recalled being advised to back away from bears, so they moved behind the register after the animal entered the shop. The clerk directed them toward an emergency exit, giving them a potential route out while keeping distance from the bear.
A second-floor exit was also identified, but the couple did not need to use it. Card, a military veteran and former lifeguard, said his experience with emergency situations influenced his response. He described the situation as unpredictable rather than an immediate emergency and was unsure whether intervening or simply giving the animal space would be safest.
The bear explores the merchandise
Inside the shop, the young bear focused on the store’s products. It tore into a sweet-tea blend and investigated tea diffusers while employees and bystanders watched. An employee from a neighboring business reportedly sounded an air horn in an effort to move the animal, but the noise appeared to have little effect.
Card began recording as the bear approached the counter. He said the animal did not appear threatened or aggressive, although its behavior remained difficult to predict. Puyol said she was more shocked than frightened because the wild animal was only about eight feet away.
A startling jump onto the counter
The most dramatic moment came when the bear jumped onto the counter, prompting Card to step backward. In the recording, he can be heard addressing the animal casually. Puyol later joked that he was speaking to the bear as if it were a puppy.
“It’s a bear. It’s not a puppy. It’s a bear,” Puyol recalled saying.
Card said he initially wondered whether the animal might be a trained show bear with a handler nearby because the store was in a populated tourist area. He soon realized it was a wild bear. Puyol said she had hoped to see a bear during the trip, but not at such close range.
The encounter ends without injuries
The bear eventually ran out of the store before the couple needed to use the alternate exit. Card and the clerk closed the door and waited to make sure the area was safe before leaving. Puyol estimated that the entire incident lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.
Store employees told the couple the bear appeared to be a repeat visitor and had entered earlier in the week. The business had also posted a photograph of a young bear with a caption saying it had taken sugar and returned for more. The couple left safely and said the unusual encounter became an unforgettable part of their seventh-anniversary trip.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A young bear entered a tea shop in Gatlinburg during an anniversary trip. |
| 2 | The animal rummaged through tea products and examined store merchandise. |
| 3 | It jumped onto the counter while Card recorded the encounter. |
| 4 | The couple and employees moved away and waited for the bear to leave. |
Summary
A routine anniversary visit became a close encounter with a young bear inside a Gatlinburg tea shop. The animal caused a brief disruption while exploring merchandise, but the couple and employees maintained distance until it left. No injuries were reported, and the incident became a memorable part of the couple’s Tennessee trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the bear enter?
The bear entered The Spice & Tea Exchange in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
What did the bear do inside the store?
It rummaged through merchandise, tore into a sweet-tea blend, investigated tea diffusers and jumped onto the counter.
How long did the encounter last?
Puyol estimated that the encounter lasted roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
Were there any injuries?
No injuries were reported. The couple and employees moved away and waited until the bear ran out of the store.
