A couple visiting Gatlinburg for their anniversary experienced an unexpected adventure when a bear wandered into a local tea shop. The incident, caught on video, shows the bear rummaging through the store before leaping onto the counter.
Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card were celebrating their seventh anniversary with a visit to The Spice & Tea Exchange when they encountered the wild animal. Card noticed the bear near the entrance and informed Puyol, who at first didn’t fully grasp the situation until the store clerk also pointed out the bear standing there.
“There’s a bear,” Card recalled saying.
As the couple backed away following general advice on bear encounters, the animal ventured further into the store. The clerk guided them to a safe spot behind the register. The bear seemed intrigued by the merchandise, tearing into a sweet-tea blend and examining tea diffusers as curious onlookers gathered outside. Although an employee from a neighboring shop sounded an air horn, the bear remained unfazed.
Card began recording as the bear approached the counter, asking, “Hey, what you doing there, buddy?” The bear then jumped onto the counter, prompting Card to step back.
“He’s talking to this thing like it’s a puppy,” Puyol commented. “It’s a bear. It’s not a puppy.”
Initially, Card wondered if the bear was a trained animal due to their location in a populated area, but soon realized it was wild. As a military veteran, Card’s experience in handling emergencies influenced his calm response. Though the situation felt unpredictable, it did not seem like an emergency.
Puyol was more shocked than scared, expressing disbelief at the closeness of the wild animal. She remarked on the irony of her earlier wish to see a bear during their trip, but not this close.
“Be careful what you wish for,” she reflected, “because I wanted to see a bear, not that up close and personal.”
The clerk informed the couple about another exit on the second floor, yet the bear ran out before they had to use it. Card and the clerk then ensured the area was safe before leaving. The encounter lasted around 10 to 15 minutes, according to Puyol.
Store employees mentioned the bear was likely a repeat visitor. Earlier in the week, the shop posted a photo with the caption noting a bear had entered and taken some sugar.
The eventful anniversary trip, filled with peculiar happenings, left a lasting impression on the couple. The Spice & Tea Exchange has yet to provide further comment.