Just the Bear Facts
The “Real” B. Thomas
On August 1st, 2012, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory® in Estes Park, CO had a very interesting visitor. When we opened the store at 9:00 a.m., it was evident that there had been some kind of critter in the store. A bit of dirt was on the counter and a piece of cellophane on the floor. Once in a while a chipmunk comes in when we prop the doors open, so we figured this was the case.
After looking for awhile with no luck, we checked out the video footage from the four security cameras that are in the store. Much to our surprise, at around 4:00 a.m., a young black bear managed to open the door by reaching his claws under the bottom edge and jiggling it. A faulty dead bolt allowed the bear to get the door open and in he came!
The bear sniffed around the candy case and display shelves and then he stood up, placing his front paws on the counter and stuffed his mouth with an assortment of chocolate displayed on top: Crispy Rice Treats, large Peanut Butter Buckets™, Cookie Bears and Balls of Joy. He didn't actually eat anything inside the store, but took it all outside on the sidewalk. He then returned for more.
He was in the store a total of seven times in about a 15-minute span, always taking his goodies outside. On the fifth trip in, he jumped up on the other end of the check-out counter and got behind it, where he loaded up on English Toffee. Again, over the counter he jumped and out the door to eat his prize. The next trip in, he went over the same counter and walked all along the back counters, looking and sniffing.
During this adventure, the bear didn't knock over, break or spill anything. Best of all, he didn't “leave” anything! He just ate about 20 pounds of chocolate and had a fun time exploring. The bear left after the seventh visit.
After disinfecting all the counters, candy cases and floor, we were able to open for business around noon. Naturally, he returned the following night to try to get in the store again. There was a muddy bear print on the glass door, but to his disappointment, the door lock was repaired.
HOW TO ORDER
Available at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Estes Park (lower Stanley Village, across from McDonald's) or Macdonald Book Shop in downtown Estes Park.
Available as a book or the NEW kids Audio Book "All About Bears." To place an order, call us at (970) 586-6601
Click here to see our YouTube Video of the bear that helped himself to our chocolate!