By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Nov 14, 2018 at 6:45 PM Photography: Royal Brevvaxling

The musical, mechanical Christmas bears that magically appeared during the holiday season in the Shops of Grand Avenue had a good run – 15 years to be exact – but they will not return this year.

"They'll be taking the year off," says The Shops of Grand Avenue facilities manager, Ryan Manning. 

Manning sites the transitioning of the space as the reason for their absence this season. As for the future, it's unknown when or if they will return.

For years, OnMilwaukee questioned if the Yuletide Teddies were creepy or cute – or both – but now that they're gone we kinda miss them. 

"They're doing fine," says Manning. "They're hibernating."


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.