{"id":438210,"date":"2026-08-20T09:20:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T09:20:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/438210\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T09:20:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T09:20:34","slug":"build-a-bear-makes-a-fresno-nightcrawler-plush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/438210\/","title":{"rendered":"Build-A-Bear makes a Fresno Nightcrawler plush"},"content":{"rendered":"

Of all the things Fresno has to be proud of \u2013 its agricultural prowess, its diversity, Audra McDonald<\/a> \u2013 it\u2019s the creepy, crawly cryptid that gets a national chain\u2019s attention?<\/p>\n

Yep. We\u2019re talking about the Fresno Nightcrawler and mall retailer Build-A-Bear Workshop<\/a> \u2013 the strangest of bedfellows.<\/p>\n

The store known for creating kitty cats that wear dresses where little kids participate in the process of stuffing them has zeroed in on a local legend and created a fluffy, cuddly version of it.<\/p>\n

The Fresno Nightcrawler, often defined as a pale, ghostly pair of pants,<\/a> went viral in 2007 after being caught on video walking across a Fresno lawn.<\/p>\n

Build-A-Bear\u2019s version is a lot plumper and cuter than the one caught on camera right here. Its legs are also posable.<\/p>\n

The plush stuffie is only available online, despite Build-A-Bear having stores in Fresno at Fashion Fair mall and at the Visalia Mall.<\/p>\n

The $30 Nightcrawler can be ordered fully stuffed or unstuffed. If you get it unstuffed, you can take it into the store and do the full Build-A-Bear experience.<\/p>\n

That includes picking out accessories for your Nightcrawler for an extra charge, such as a voice box with sound, like a werewolf howl. You can also get put a heart inside it and watch it get stuffed.<\/p>\n

And you can add clothes \u2014 say, a rainbow tutu? Or maybe a pair of leopard-print jeans? A San Francisco Giants hat?<\/p>\n

So far, people seem to be interested in the curious creature. On Tuesday, the website said the product had been viewed 14,759 times in the past 24 hours.<\/p>\n

When the stuffed animal was introduced on Instagram, one commenter said: \u201cNO WAY THIS IS A WIN FOR THE FRESNO PEOPLE.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another said: \u201cPLEASE TELL ME I CAN PUT PANTS ON IT.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can.<\/p>\n

The creature is part of Build-A-Bear\u2019s Living Legends line, which also includes the Lochness Monster and Mothman, said Madeline Jones, external communications and PR manager for Build-A-Bear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve learned that audiences gravitate toward concepts that are unexpected, distinctive, and conversation-starting,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Fresno Nightcrawler checked all of those boxes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An An image of the Fresno Nightcrawler provided by Build-A-Bear Workshop. Special to The Bee Build-A-Bear Workshop Where else to buy a Fresno Nightcrawler?<\/p>\n

Nobody knows if the Fresno Nightcrawler is real or faked, though it has been the subject of multiple TV shows, including the History Channel series \u201cThe Proof Is Out There<\/a>\u201d and the YouTube series \u201dMonsters Dissected<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

A former FBI agent tried to recreate the footage, but determined it to be \u201cunexplainable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, Build-A-Bear isn\u2019t the first entrepreneur to pair a cryptid with capitalism.<\/p>\n

Local stores have been making stickers, badges, posters, earrings and more in the shape of the ghostly armless biped for years.<\/p>\n

They include Crazy Squirrel<\/a>, Sour Milk<\/a>, Let Me Take a Look<\/a>, SheraChic<\/a>. The online platform Etsy is full of creative Fresno Nightcrawler products<\/a> too, including shirts, cookie cutters and its own plush dolls.<\/p>\n

\"Build-A-Bear Build-A-Bear Workshop has started offering a Fresno Nightcrawler plush online, naked or with accessories, pictured here in an Instagram screenshot from California Cryptids. Screenshot\/Special to The Bee California Cryptids <\/p>\n

This story was originally published August 19, 2026 at 10:30 AM.<\/p>\n

Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Bethany Clough<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fresno Bee<\/p>\n

Bethany Clough covers restaurants and retail for The Fresno Bee. A reporter for more than 20 years, she now works to answer readers\u2019 questions about business openings, closings and other business news. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and her last name is pronounced Cluff.\n <\/p>\n