A Tennessee anniversary trip became an unforgettable wildlife encounter when a curious bear walked into a Gatlinburg tea shop, explored the store’s products, and climbed onto the counter while startled customers watched.
Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card were celebrating their seventh anniversary in Gatlinburg when their relaxing getaway suddenly turned into a scene they never expected. During a visit to The Spice & Tea Exchange on Friday, the couple discovered an unusual visitor near the entrance.
“There’s a bear,” Card recalled saying.
Couple Encounters Unexpected Visitor During Anniversary Trip
At first, Puyol said she did not fully understand what was happening. However, after hearing Card and a store employee repeat the warning, she turned around and saw the animal standing inside the doorway.
The couple immediately remembered advice about staying calm and backing away from bears. As they moved away, the bear continued deeper into the shop, forcing the couple and employees to retreat behind the register area where an emergency exit was available.
Meanwhile, the bear appeared far more interested in exploring the store than causing trouble. The animal investigated merchandise, tore into a sweet-tea blend, and examined tea diffusers while people gathered outside to watch the unusual scene.
An employee from a nearby business reportedly used an air horn in an attempt to scare the bear away, but the tactic appeared ineffective.
Bear Climbs Onto Counter As Couple Records Encounter
As the bear moved closer to the counter, Card began filming the surprising moment.
“Hey, what you doing there, buddy?” Card can be heard saying in the video.
The bear then suddenly jumped onto the counter, causing Card to step backward.
Puyol later joked about Card’s surprisingly calm reaction during the tense moment.
“He’s talking to this thing like it’s a puppy,” Puyol recalled.
“It’s a bear. It’s not a puppy. It’s a bear.”
Card said he initially believed the animal could have been a trained bear because the area was crowded and popular with tourists. However, he quickly realized the animal was wild and moving freely through the store.
Veteran Says Bear Appeared Curious, Not Aggressive
Card, a military veteran with experience as a lifeguard, said his background dealing with unpredictable situations influenced how he responded.
He explained that he was unsure what the young bear might do and whether stepping in would help or create more danger.
“This didn’t really feel like an emergency,” Card said. “It felt
Card said the animal seemed more curious than threatening throughout the encounter.
“He didn’t really seem threatened,” he said. “Even when he jumped up on the counter, I was like, okay, well, I’m going to take a step back.”
Puyol said her reaction was mostly disbelief rather than fear.
“I wasn’t scared,” she said. “I was just shocked.”
“I wasn’t like, ‘Oh my God, it’s a bear, I’m going to die,'” she continued. “No, it was like, there’s a wild animal, like eight feet away from me.”
Anniversary Wish Comes True In Unexpected Way
The encounter carried an ironic twist. Before arriving in Tennessee, Puyol had repeatedly told Card that she hoped they would see a bear during their anniversary vacation.
“Be careful what you wish for because I wanted to see a bear, not that up close and personal,” she said.
Eventually, the store clerk informed the couple about another possible exit on the second floor. However, before they needed to use it, the bear suddenly left the shop.
Card and the employee closed the door afterward and waited until they were confident the area was safe before leaving.
Puyol estimated the entire encounter lasted around 10 to 15 minutes.
Tea Shop Says Bear May Have Been A Repeat Visitor
The couple said employees told them the bear was not a complete stranger to the business and had reportedly entered the shop earlier in the week.
The store had also shared a photo of a bear previously with the caption:
“This young bear came into our shop today, snagged some sugar and came back for more!”
Now safely away from the unusual encounter, the couple said the surprise visit became one of the most memorable moments of their anniversary celebration.
“The trip has been filled with oddities, and so this just kind of … fuels that whole experience,” Card said.
