A couple's anniversary getaway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, took an unexpected turn when a young bear entered a local tea shop, exploring the merchandise before jumping onto the counter.
Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card were visiting the town for their seventh anniversary when they stopped at The Spice & Tea Exchange on Friday. Card first noticed the bear near the entrance. "There's a bear," he recalled. Initially not fully processing the situation, Puyol turned and saw the animal in the doorway after the clerk and Card repeated themselves.
As the couple and the clerk retreated behind the counter, the bear ventured further into the store, showing interest in the inventory. It was seen tearing into a sweet-tea blend and investigating tea diffusers. An employee from a neighboring store attempted to deter the bear with an air horn, but it had little apparent effect.
Card began recording as the bear approached the counter. The animal then jumped onto the counter, causing Card to step back. Puyol described the situation as surreal, noting the bear's apparent curiosity rather than aggression. Card, a military veteran, stated he felt uncertain about how to react, describing the situation as unpredictable but not an immediate emergency.
Puyol, who had expressed a desire to see a bear during their trip, described herself as shocked rather than frightened. "It was like, there's a wild animal, like eight feet away from me," she said.
The encounter lasted approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Store employees informed the couple that the bear appeared to be a recurring visitor to the establishment. The shop had previously posted on social media about a bear entering the store earlier in the week, noting it had taken some sugar. The bear eventually left the shop through the front door before Puyol and Card needed to use an alternative exit. They and the clerk then secured the door and waited to ensure the animal was gone.
The couple stated that the unusual encounter added a memorable element to their anniversary trip, describing the experience as one of the "oddities" that fueled their vacation. Fox News Digital has reached out to The Spice & Tea Exchange of Gatlinburg for further comment.