Bear ransacks Gatlinburg candy store again

WATE (Knoxville TN) ^ | 01/10/2026 | Hope McAlee

[DFG]

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is investigating after a bear ransacked a candy store in Gatlinburg. This is not the first time the bear has caused damage to the store, but the store is hopeful the bear will be relocated.

Glades Homemade Candies shared on social media Friday that this is the fourth time the bear has caused damage at the store. Photos of the damage show a glass door the bear busted through, an overturned sheet pan rack and pans that were once full of sweets dragged outside.

The store is located along East Parkway, near where the highway intersects with Glades Road. According to the post, the owners have nurtured their arts and crafts business in Gatlinburg for 35 years, but the persistent bear is a challenge they “urgently need to overcome.”

In an update Saturday, Glades Homemade Candies said it has taken every reasonable precaution it can to prevent the bear from accessing the store, including keeping doors secured, using bear-proof dumpsters, and implementing additional security measures.

Glades Homemade Candies said the incident was reported to the TWRA. The store told 6 News in a statement it is hopeful the bear will be relocated.

“As Gatlinburg natives, we deeply respect and care for our bears, our natural environment, and the Great Smoky Mountains,” the store wrote.

The TWRA confirmed to 6 News that it is aware of the incident and wildlife officers are investigating the case.

On Monday, TWRA released a statement saying, “TWRA is aware of the situation and has been working with the business to prevent further property damage and address safety concerns. The agency uses a variety of tools to manage and reduce human-bear conflicts, including an equipment loaner program that provides devices such as electric unwelcome mats. This program offers short-term relief while individuals or businesses purchase their own equipment or invest in long-term solutions. It also demonstrates effective ways to secure attractants and prevent damage. Because the equipment is in high demand, TWRA cannot always leave devices in place for extended periods.”

It added, “Each year, TWRA receives more than 1,000 calls related to human-bear conflicts, with a five-year average of 1,270 calls. Stories like this are often portrayed as cute or lighthearted, which can desensitize people to the seriousness of the issue and the challenges wildlife face. Black bears are wild animals with strong claws and teeth that help them survive in the wild. However, when they repeatedly find human food, those same strengths can lead to property damage and even pose a risk to people. In this case, the business did nothing wrong but is suffering the consequences of others who failed to follow BearWise practices.”

[Carriage Hill]

LOL!