About Us

Sally and Bill Winey

In 1983, Sally Winey was about to welcome into the world her third child, Abby. She wanted to have a gift for all three kids and as money was tight she had to get creative She used her husbands old work clothes, her love for sewing that she learned from her grandmother and made three little bears, these were her first handmade bears. (featured)

Little did she know that all those years spent at the foot of her grandmothers sewing machine making patterns and sewing together scraps would years later turn into her being in the middle of bear craze in the 1990's.

Sally's hobby grew and eventually she went from selling to friends, to selling at craft shows to setting up a booth at the New York Toy Convention selling not only her handmade collectables but also manufactured ones! She was called upon by top toy designers, like Ty Inc., to create and design new stuffed animals.

As her business grew, it was always a family affair first. We would all gather around the living room, stuffing bears while watching TV together. Weekends were for traveling to bear conventions, and our kitchen—or sometimes a local hotel—was the classroom for teddy bear making lessons.

Over the years, the demand for handmade bears slowed, but Sally began to notice a new need: people wanted help repairing and restoring their cherished vintage stuffed animals. She quickly became an expert in all kinds of materials, ages, and manufacturers, even earning recommendations from Steiff to do repairs in the U.S. Her skill with delicate fabrics like mohair and her ability to design custom patterns made her a trusted name for bringing beloved bears back to life.

As word spread, Sally formed Winey Bears Repair, a business dedicated to the care and restoration of treasured stuffed animals.

In 2021, Abby decided it was time to rejoin the family tradition. She started by helping with marketing and sales but before long, she was back at the sewing machine beside her mother. Abby quickly rediscovered her old sewing skills and found a deep love for restoration work.

For both Sally and Abby, it’s the stories behind the stuffed animals that truly matter. Yes, the work of repairing a tattered bear is rewarding but the real joy comes from knowing what these companions mean to their owners. They carry memories, secrets, and comfort. They’ve traveled far, been friends in lonely times, and helped countless people through tough moments. Every stitch is a chance to honor those stories.

In January 2025, Bill and Sally retired, leaving the legacy of Winey Bears Repair in loving hands. Today, that legacy continues with Abby, her husband Shawn, and their daughters CeCe and Lucy. Together, they keep the family tradition alive, working with the same care, the same joy, and the same love that started it all.

Abby leads all repairs and restorations, while Shawn manages every step of the process, checking in each stuffed animal, sending arrival confirmations, and helping with unstuffing, washing, restuffing, and return shipping from our Davidson workshop.

And then there’s CeCe and Lucy, the youngest members of the team. Lucy makes sure every stuffed animal gets a hug before it goes home, and CeCe assists with the stuffing. It’s these little touches that make every repair feel personal and special.

Winey Bears Repair remains, at its heart, a family business. We are deeply grateful to our customers, your trust allows us to do the work we love together, as a family, preserving memories and creating joy one stitch at a time.

With love,
The Winey Bears Repair Team
Abby, Shawn, CeCe, and Lucy

Business Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm ET

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Mailing Address: 3338 Brackhill Street Davidson, NC 28036