Wild Bear Invades Gatlinburg Tea Shop During Anniversary Visit

During a seventh‑anniversary trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a couple, Victoria Puyol and Joshua Card, were stunned when a bear entered The Spice & Tea Exchange, rummaged through merchandise, and leapt onto the counter. The animal, described as a young black bear, had reportedly visited the shop earlier that week. Store staff guided the couple to an emergency exit while the bear continued to explore the shop’s inventory. Card, a military veteran, recorded the encounter, noting the bear’s curiosity rather than aggression. The couple escaped unharmed after about ten to fifteen minutes, and the shop’s employees reported the bear as a repeat visitor. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of wildlife in popular tourist destinations.