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Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Sep. 29, 2012	Nov. 06, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,281,699
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001113809
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 22,145	$ 46,367	$ 25,106
Inventories	54,885	51,860	56,258
Receivables	4,721	7,878	4,889
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,569	17,854	20,646
Deferred tax assets	487	419	7,624
Total current assets	95,807	124,378	114,523
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $184,606; $175,018 and $173,862, respectively	73,754	77,445	78,965
Goodwill	33,876	32,306	32,614
Other intangible assets, net	510	655	836
Other assets, net	7,218	6,787	15,625
Total Assets	211,165	241,571	242,563
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	35,151	41,032	38,544
Accrued expenses	5,981	12,128	6,039
Gift cards and customer deposits	21,180	28,323	21,670
Deferred revenue	5,455	5,285	6,803
Total current liabilities	67,767	86,768	73,056
Deferred franchise revenue	1,238	1,436	1,504
Deferred rent	20,955	23,867	25,139
Other liabilities	257	257	366
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, Shares authorized: 15,000,000; No shares issued or outstanding at September 29, 2012, December 31, 2011 and October 1, 2011
Common stock, par value $0.01, Shares authorized: 50,000,000; Issued and outstanding: 17,351,904; 17,405,270 and 18,157,318 shares, respectively	174	174	182
Additional paid-in capital	66,782	65,402	68,999
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,020)	(10,165)	(9,506)
Retained earnings	61,012	73,832	82,823
Total stockholders' equity	120,948	129,243	142,498
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 211,165	$ 241,571	$ 242,563

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011
Accumulated depreciation (in Dollars)	$ 184,606	$ 175,018	$ 173,862
Preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	17,351,904	17,405,270	18,157,318
Common stock, shares outstanding	17,351,904	17,405,270	18,157,318

- Definition

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

+ References + Details

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Revenues:
Net retail sales	$ 84,263	$ 95,378	$ 258,452	$ 269,929
Commercial revenue	908	1,160	1,989	3,002
Franchise fees	800	872	2,313	2,312
Total revenues	85,971	97,410	262,754	275,243
Costs and expenses:
Cost of merchandise sold	53,887	57,572	163,057	167,723
Selling, general and administrative	36,573	38,013	113,774	120,011
Interest expense (income), net	(36)	(40)	(185)	(41)
Total costs and expenses	90,424	95,545	276,646	287,693
Income (loss) before income taxes	(4,453)	1,865	(13,892)	(12,450)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(201)	1,011	(1,072)	(4,377)
Net income (loss)	$ (4,252)	$ 854	$ (12,820)	$ (8,073)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.45)
Diluted (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.45)
Shares used in computing common per share amounts:
Basic (in Shares)	16,473,114	17,378,486	16,323,630	17,781,943
Diluted (in Shares)	16,473,114	17,396,144	16,323,630	17,781,943
Comprehensive income	$ (2,189)	$ (1,073)	$ (9,675)	$ (7,620)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (12,820)	$ (8,073)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,832	18,614
Stock-based compensation	2,810	3,501
Deferred taxes	(1,533)	(653)
Loss from investment in affiliate	475
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments		(314)
Impairment of store assets	319
Trade credit utilization	298	200
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	469	451
Change in assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(2,629)	(9,836)
Receivables	3,186	3,036
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(1,276)	(2,243)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(9,320)	(7,081)
Lease related liabilities	(3,020)	(3,493)
Gift cards and customer deposits	(7,224)	(7,244)
Deferred revenue	(27)	(79)
Net cash used in operating activities	(14,460)	(13,214)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(13,036)	(9,715)
Purchases of other assets and other intangible assets	(371)	(181)
Purchases of short term investments		(3,115)
Proceeds from sale or maturitiy of short term investments	2,647	2,076
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	(475)
Cash used in investing activities	(11,235)	(10,935)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Exercise of employee stock options		62
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments		314
Purchases of Company's common stock		(10,163)
Cash used in financing activities		(9,787)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	1,473	287
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(24,222)	(33,649)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	46,367	58,755
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 22,145	$ 25,106

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared by Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2011 was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. All other condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein are unaudited and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to summarize fairly the financial position of the Company and the results of the Company’s operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All of these adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As a toy retailer, the Company’s sales are highest in the fourth quarter, followed by the first quarter. The timing of holidays and school vacations can impact quarterly results. Because of the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations, results of operations of any single reporting period should not be considered as indicative of results for a full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2012.

Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted new accounting guidance with regard to the presentation and disclosure of comprehensive income in accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2011-5 and 2011-12. The adoption of this guidance impacted only the presentation and disclosure of comprehensive income.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

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+ Details

Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]

2. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 29, 2012		December 31, 2011		October 1, 2011
Prepaid rent	$	8,026	$	7,745	$	7,916
Prepaid income taxes		365		1,970		5,352
Short-term investments		-		2,619		2,702
Other		5,178		5,520		4,676
	$	13,569	$	17,854	$	20,646

Note 3 - Goodwill

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]

3. Goodwill

Goodwill is reported as a component of the Company’s retail segment. The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012 (in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	32,306
Effect of foreign currency translation		1,570
Balance as of September 29, 2012	$	33,876

Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. This testing requires comparison of carrying values to fair values, and when appropriate, the carrying value of impaired assets is reduced to fair value. Goodwill will be tested for impairment no later than December 29, 2012.

Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

4. Stock-based Compensation

The following table is a summary of the balances and activity for restricted stock and stock options for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012:

	Restricted Stock			Options
Outstanding, December 31, 2011		1,438,131			1,210,816
Granted		278,180			228
Vested		(804,565	)		—
Exercised		—			—
Forfeited		(64,598	)		(44,694	)
Canceled or expired		—			—
Outstanding, September 29, 2012		847,148			1,166,350

For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012 selling, general and administrative expense includes $0.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2011, selling, general and administrative expense includes $1.1 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. As of September 29, 2012, there was $5.2 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock and option awards which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.

The total fair value of shares vested during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011was $4.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

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+ Details

Note 5 - Earnings per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

5. Earnings per Share

The Company uses the two-class method to compute basic and diluted earnings per common share. In periods of net loss, no effect is given to the Company’s participating securities as they do not contractually participate in the losses of the Company. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):

	Thirteen weeks ended					Thirty-nine weeks ended
	September 29, 2012			October 1, 2011		September 29, 2012			October 1, 2011
NUMERATOR:
Net earnings (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities	$	(4,252	)	$	854	$	(12,820	)	$	(8,073	)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities		-			67		-			-
Net earnings (loss) after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$	(4,252	)	$	787	$	(12,820	)	$	(8,073	)

DENOMINATOR:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		16,473,114			17,378,486		16,323,630			17,781,943
Dilutive effect of share-based awards:		-			17,658		-			-
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive		16,473,114			17,396,144		16,323,630			17,781,943
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders:	$	(0.26	)	$	0.05	$	(0.79	)	$	(0.45	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders	$	(0.26	)	$	0.05	$	(0.79	)	$	(0.45	)

Due to the net loss for thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2012 and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, the denominator for diluted earnings per common share is the same as the denominator for basic earnings per common share for those periods because the inclusion of stock options and unvested restricted shares would be anti-dilutive.

For the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2011, options to purchase 865,779 shares of common stock were excluded from the denominator for diluted earnings per common share because of their anti-dilutive effect.

Note 6 - Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
Note 6 - Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Sep. 29, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	6. Comprehensive Income (Loss) The difference between comprehensive income or loss and net income or loss results from foreign currency translation adjustments on the balance sheets of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the US Dollar.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

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+ Details

Note 7 - Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

7. Segment Information

The Company’s operations are conducted through three operating segments consisting of retail, commercial and international franchising. The retail segment includes the operating activities of company-owned stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland and other retail delivery operations, including the Company’s web store, pop-up stores and non-traditional store locations such as baseball parks. The commercial segment includes the Company’s transactions with other businesses, mainly comprised of licensing the Company’s intellectual properties for third party use and wholesale activities. The international franchising segment includes the licensing activities of the Company’s franchise agreements with store locations in Europe, outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico and South America. The operating segments have discrete sources of revenue, different capital structures and different cost structures. These operating segments represent the basis on which the Company’s chief operating decision maker regularly evaluates the business in assessing performance, determining the allocation of resources and the pursuit of future growth opportunities. Accordingly, the Company has determined that each of its operating segments represent one reportable segment. The reportable segments follow the same accounting policies used for the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Following is a summary of the financial information for the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):

	Retail			Commercial		International Franchising		Total
Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	84,263		$	908	$	800	$	85,971
Income (loss) before income taxes		(5,254	)		453		348		(4,453	)
Capital expenditures, net		5,063			-		40		5,103
Depreciation and amortization		5,152			-		44		5,196
Thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	95,378		$	1,160	$	872	$	97,410
Income (loss) before income taxes		806			545		514		1,865
Capital expenditures, net		3,745			-		14		3,759
Depreciation and amortization		5,822			-		62		5,884

Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	258,452		$	1,989	$	2,313	$	262,754
Income (loss) before income taxes		(15,692	)		688		1,112		(13,892	)
Capital expenditures, net		13,320			-		87		13,407
Depreciation and amortization		15,699			-		133		15,832
Thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	269,929		$	3,002	$	2,312	$	275,243
Income (loss) before income taxes		(15,014	)		1,356		1,208		(12,450	)
Capital expenditures, net		9,819			-		77		9,896
Depreciation and amortization		18,426			-		188		18,614

Total Assets as of:
September 29, 2012	$	199,612		$	9,149	$	2,404	$	211,165
October 1, 2011	$	230,074		$	9,695	$	2,794	$	242,563

The Company’s reportable segments are primarily determined by the types of products and services that they offer. Each reportable segment may operate in many geographic areas. The Company allocates revenues to geographic areas based on the location of the customer or franchisee. The following schedule is a summary of the Company’s sales to external customers and long-lived assets by geographic area (in thousands):

	North America (1)		Europe (2)		Other (3)		Total
Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	68,545	$	16,951	$	475	$	85,971
Property and equipment, net		62,644		11,110		-		73,754
Thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	79,016	$	17,863	$	531	$	97,410
Property and equipment, net		67,527		11,438		-		78,965

Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	214,157	$	47,236	$	1,361		262,754
Property and equipment, net		62,644		11,110		-		73,754
Thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	225,696	$	48,086	$	1,461	$	275,243
Property and equipment, net		67,527		11,438		-		78,965

For purposes of this table only:

(1) North America includes the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and franchise business in Mexico

(2) Europe includes the United Kingdom, Ireland and franchise businesses in Europe

(3) Other includes franchise businesses outside of North America and Europe

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
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+ Details

Note 8 - Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

8. Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to regular examination by various taxing authorities for years not closed by the statute of limitations, including an ongoing customs audit in the United Kingdom in which the Company is contesting audit findings. The Company accrues a liability for this type of contingency when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. In October, the Company received notification from the customs authority that it intends to assess approximately £1.2 million, or US$2.0 million at the exchange rate at the end of the quarter, for unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. The Company intends to appeal this determination and continues to believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on the results of operations, liquidity or financial position of the Company. However, if one or more of these examinations has an unfavorable resolution, it is possible that the results of operation, liquidity or financial position of the Company could be materially affected in any particular period.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

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+ Details

Note 9. Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
Note 9. Subsequent Event	Sep. 29, 2012
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	9. Subsequent Event In the period from September 30, 2012 through November 6, 2012, the Company has repurchased approximately 178,500 shares of the Company's stock for an aggregate amount of $0.6 million leaving $8.1 million of availability under the Board approved stock repurchase program.

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	Sep. 29, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. This testing requires comparison of carrying values to fair values, and when appropriate, the carrying value of impaired assets is reduced to fair value. Goodwill will be tested for impairment no later than December 29, 2012.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company uses the two-class method to compute basic and diluted earnings per common share. In periods of net loss, no effect is given to the Company’s participating securities as they do not contractually participate in the losses of the Company

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for computing basic and diluted earnings or loss per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation and takes into account stock dividends, splits and reverse splits that occur after the balance sheet date of the latest reporting period but before the issuance of the financial statements.

+ References + Details

Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]

	September 29, 2012		December 31, 2011		October 1, 2011
Prepaid rent	$	8,026	$	7,745	$	7,916
Prepaid income taxes		365		1,970		5,352
Short-term investments		-		2,619		2,702
Other		5,178		5,520		4,676
	$	13,569	$	17,854	$	20,646

Note 3 - Goodwill (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	32,306
Effect of foreign currency translation		1,570
Balance as of September 29, 2012	$	33,876

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total which includes a rollforward schedule.

+ References + Details

Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table Text Block]

	Restricted Stock			Options
Outstanding, December 31, 2011		1,438,131			1,210,816
Granted		278,180			228
Vested		(804,565	)		—
Exercised		—			—
Forfeited		(64,598	)		(44,694	)
Canceled or expired		—			—
Outstanding, September 29, 2012		847,148			1,166,350

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of components of a stock option or other award plan under which equity-based compensation is awarded to employees, typically comprised of the amount of unearned compensation (deferred compensation cost), compensation expense, and changes in the quantity and fair value of the shares (or other type of equity) granted, exercised, forfeited, and issued and outstanding pertaining to that plan. Disclosure may also include nature and general terms of such arrangements that existed during the period and potential effects of those arrangements on shareholders, effect of compensation cost arising from equity-based payment arrangements on the income statement, method of estimating the fair value of the goods or services received, or the fair value of the equity instruments granted, during the period, cash flow effects resulting from equity-based payment arrangements and, for registrants that accelerate vesting of out of the money share options, reasons for the decision to accelerate.

+ References + Details

Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	Thirteen weeks ended					Thirty-nine weeks ended
	September 29, 2012			October 1, 2011		September 29, 2012			October 1, 2011
NUMERATOR:
Net earnings (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities	$	(4,252	)	$	854	$	(12,820	)	$	(8,073	)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities		-			67		-			-
Net earnings (loss) after allocation of earnings to participating securities	$	(4,252	)	$	787	$	(12,820	)	$	(8,073	)

DENOMINATOR:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		16,473,114			17,378,486		16,323,630			17,781,943
Dilutive effect of share-based awards:		-			17,658		-			-
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive		16,473,114			17,396,144		16,323,630			17,781,943
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders:	$	(0.26	)	$	0.05	$	(0.79	)	$	(0.45	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders	$	(0.26	)	$	0.05	$	(0.79	)	$	(0.45	)

Note 7 - Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	Retail			Commercial		International Franchising		Total
Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	84,263		$	908	$	800	$	85,971
Income (loss) before income taxes		(5,254	)		453		348		(4,453	)
Capital expenditures, net		5,063			-		40		5,103
Depreciation and amortization		5,152			-		44		5,196
Thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	95,378		$	1,160	$	872	$	97,410
Income (loss) before income taxes		806			545		514		1,865
Capital expenditures, net		3,745			-		14		3,759
Depreciation and amortization		5,822			-		62		5,884

Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	258,452		$	1,989	$	2,313	$	262,754
Income (loss) before income taxes		(15,692	)		688		1,112		(13,892	)
Capital expenditures, net		13,320			-		87		13,407
Depreciation and amortization		15,699			-		133		15,832
Thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	269,929		$	3,002	$	2,312	$	275,243
Income (loss) before income taxes		(15,014	)		1,356		1,208		(12,450	)
Capital expenditures, net		9,819			-		77		9,896
Depreciation and amortization		18,426			-		188		18,614

Total Assets as of:
September 29, 2012	$	199,612		$	9,149	$	2,404	$	211,165
October 1, 2011	$	230,074		$	9,695	$	2,794	$	242,563

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]

	North America (1)		Europe (2)		Other (3)		Total
Thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	68,545	$	16,951	$	475	$	85,971
Property and equipment, net		62,644		11,110		-		73,754
Thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	79,016	$	17,863	$	531	$	97,410
Property and equipment, net		67,527		11,438		-		78,965

Thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2012
Net sales to external customers	$	214,157	$	47,236	$	1,361		262,754
Property and equipment, net		62,644		11,110		-		73,754
Thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers	$	225,696	$	48,086	$	1,461	$	275,243
Property and equipment, net		67,527		11,438		-		78,965

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References + Details

Note 2 - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail) - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011
Prepaid rent	$ 8,026	$ 7,745	$ 7,916
Prepaid income taxes	365	1,970	5,352
Short-term investments		2,619	2,702
Other	5,178	5,520	4,676
	$ 13,569	$ 17,854	$ 20,646

Note 3 - Goodwill (Detail) - Goodwill $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
Note 3 - Goodwill (Detail) - Goodwill $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2012 USD ($)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$ 32,306
Balance as of September 29, 2012	33,876
Effect of foreign currency translation	$ 1,570

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
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-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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+ Details

Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 0.8	$ 1.1	$ 2.8	$ 3.5
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 5.2		$ 5.2
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition			1 year 6 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value			$ 4.3	$ 2.0

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References + Details

Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation (Detail) - Restricted Stock and Stock Options	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012 shares
Restricted Stock [Member]
Outstanding, December 31, 2011	1,438,131
Granted	278,180
Vested	(804,565)
Exercised	0
Forfeited	(64,598)
Canceled or expired	0
Outstanding, September 29, 2012	847,148
Stock Options [Member]
Outstanding, December 31, 2011	1,210,816
Granted	228
Vested	0
Exercised	0
Forfeited	(44,694)
Canceled or expired	0
Outstanding, September 29, 2012	1,166,350

Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended
Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Detail)	Oct. 01, 2011 shares
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount (in Shares)	865,779

- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Antidilution
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

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-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 171
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Note 5 - Earnings per Share (Detail) - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
NUMERATOR:
Net earnings (loss) before allocation of earnings to participating securities (in Dollars)	$ (4,252)	$ 854	$ (12,820)	$ (8,073)
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities (in Dollars)		67
Net earnings (loss) after allocation of earnings to participating securities (in Dollars)	$ (4,252)	$ 787	$ (12,820)	$ (8,073)
DENOMINATOR:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	16,473,114	17,378,486	16,323,630	17,781,943
Dilutive effect of share-based awards:		17,658
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - dilutive	16,473,114	17,396,144	16,323,630	17,781,943
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders: (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.45)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. stockholders (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.05	$ (0.79)	$ (0.45)

Note 7 - Segment Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
Note 7 - Segment Information (Detail)	Sep. 29, 2012
Number of Operating Segments	3
Number of Reportable Segments	3

Note 7 - Segment Information (Detail) - Financial Information for the Company’s Reportable Segments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Retail [Member]
Net sales to external customers	$ 84,263	$ 95,378	$ 258,452	$ 269,929
Income (loss) before income taxes	(5,254)	806	(15,692)	(15,014)
Capital expenditures, net	5,063	3,745	13,320	9,819
Depreciation and amortization	5,152	5,822	15,699	18,426
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets	199,612	230,074	199,612	230,074
Commercial [Member]
Net sales to external customers	908	1,160	1,989	3,002
Income (loss) before income taxes	453	545	688	1,356
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets	9,149	9,695	9,149	9,695
International Franchising [Member]
Net sales to external customers	800	872	2,313	2,312
Income (loss) before income taxes	348	514	1,112	1,208
Capital expenditures, net	40	14	87	77
Depreciation and amortization	44	62	133	188
Total Assets as of:
Total Assets	2,404	2,794	2,404	2,794
Net sales to external customers	85,971	97,410	262,754	275,243
Income (loss) before income taxes	(4,453)	1,865	(13,892)	(12,450)
Capital expenditures, net	5,103	3,759	13,407	9,896
Depreciation and amortization	5,196	5,884	15,832	18,614
Total Assets	$ 211,165	$ 242,563	$ 211,165	$ 242,563	$ 241,571

- Definition

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

+ References + Details

Note 7 - Segment Information (Detail) - Sales to External Customers and Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Oct. 01, 2011

Sep. 29, 2012

Oct. 01, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

North America [Member]

Net sales to external customers

^[1]

$ 68,545

$ 79,016

$ 214,157

$ 225,696

Property and equipment, net

^[1]

62,644

67,527

62,644

67,527

Europe [Member]

Net sales to external customers

^[2]

16,951

17,863

47,236

48,086

Property and equipment, net

^[2]

11,110

11,438

11,110

11,438

Other Geographic Region [Member]

Net sales to external customers

^[3]

475

531

1,361

1,461

Property and equipment, net

^[3]

Net sales to external customers

85,971

97,410

262,754

275,243

Property and equipment, net

$ 73,754

$ 78,965

$ 73,754

$ 78,965

$ 77,445

[1]	North America includes the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and franchise business in Mexico
[2]	Europe includes the United Kingdom, Ireland and franchise businesses in Europe
[3]	Other includes franchise businesses outside of North America and Europe

Note 8 - Contingencies (Detail) - Sep. 29, 2012 £ in Millions, $ in Millions	USD ($)	GBP (£)
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	$ 2.0	£ 1.2

Note 9. Subsequent Event (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
Note 9. Subsequent Event (Detail) $ in Millions	Nov. 06, 2012 USD ($) shares
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares (in Shares) \| shares	178,500
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	$ 0.6
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 8.1