A couple's anniversary getaway took an unexpected turn when a bear wandered into a tea shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card, celebrating their seventh anniversary, were visiting the area when they stopped at The Spice & Tea Exchange on Friday. Card spotted the bear near the entrance and immediately alerted Puyol, who initially didn't process what was happening.
As the bear ventured further into the store, the couple and a store clerk directed them to step away and access an emergency exit. However, the bear appeared particularly interested in the shop's inventory, tearing into a sweet-tea blend and investigating tea diffusers. A crowd had gathered outside, and an employee from a neighboring store sounded an air horn, but it seemed to have little effect on the bear.
Card began recording the encounter as the bear approached the counter. The bear then jumped onto the counter, prompting Card to step backward. Puyol described the scene as "unpredictable," while Card said he felt uncertain about what the young animal was capable of. Card, a military veteran and lifeguard, described his reaction as shaped by his experience in emergency situations.
The bear appeared more curious than aggressive, Card said, adding that it didn't seem threatened even when it jumped up on the counter. Puyol said she was more shocked than frightened, having previously expressed a desire to see a bear during their anniversary getaway.
The couple eventually left the store after the clerk told them about another exit, but not before the bear suddenly ran out. Store employees told them that the bear had entered the business earlier in the week and had been seen in the area before. The couple estimated the entire encounter lasted around 10 to 15 minutes.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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