Bear wanders into Gatlinburg tea shop during couple's anniversary celebration

Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card were marking their seventh anniversary in Gatlinburg when a bear appeared at the doorway of The Spice & Tea Exchange. After the clerk warned them to retreat, the bear advanced further inside, tearing at a sweet-tea blend and inspecting tea diffusers as a crowd formed outside. Despite an air horn blast from a nearby shop, the bear remained interested and eventually jumped onto the counter, prompting Card to step back while filming the scene.

The couple, advised to use a back-door exit, waited until the animal fled before leaving the premises. Employees noted the bear had visited the shop earlier in the week, making it a repeat visitor. The incident, though startling, ended without injury and became a memorable part of the couple’s trip.