At a Glance
- A black bear has broken into Glades Homemade Candies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for the fourth time
- The 35-year-old store reports it has secured doors, installed extra security, and uses bear-proof dumpsters
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says it cannot leave electric mats in place indefinitely due to high demand
- Why it matters: The repeat break-ins highlight the growing challenge of human-bear conflicts in tourist towns
A Gatlinburg candy store is pleading for help after a black bear shattered the front door and rummaged through sweets for the fourth time in recent months.
Glades Homemade Candies revealed the latest break-in in a Jan. 9 Facebook post that showed photos of a fractured glass door and baking trays scattered across the floor. A tub of dough and other candies were left strewn near the entrance.
Fourth Break-In Sparks Urgent Plea
“This persistent bear is a challenge we urgently need to overcome,” the shop wrote, asking customers to “join hands in prayer that it is safely captured.”
The store, a local landmark for 35 years, said it had already taken every precaution short of closing:
- Doors remain locked after hours
- Additional security cameras monitor the property
- All trash goes into bear-proof dumpsters
- Staff report every incident to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
Electric Mats Removed Too Soon
After the third break-in, TWRA installed electric unwelcome mats across the storefront for three days. The bear stayed away-until the mats were removed.
“We had boarded the door too,” the shop commented under its original post, noting the animal still found a way inside once the deterrent was gone.
TWRA told News Of Losangeles the equipment-loaner program is meant only as “short-term relief” because demand along the Smokies exceeds supply. The agency fields more than 1,000 human-bear conflict calls each year.
Agency: Store Did Nothing Wrong
“Black bears are wild animals with strong claws and teeth that help them survive in the wild,” TWRA said in a statement. “When they repeatedly find human food, those same strengths can lead to property damage and even pose a risk to people.”
The agency emphasized that Glades Homemade Candies “did nothing wrong” but is suffering because others have left food or garbage accessible.
Winter usually offers a reprieve; bears typically den during cold months. Yet when they emerge, natural food is scarce and the smell of sweets can lure them straight into town.
Growing Conflict in Tourist Hub
Gatlinburg sits at the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, home to an estimated 1,900 black bears. Visitors flock to the area year-round, and restaurants and candy shops line the main parkway.
TWRA lists simple steps to reduce encounters:
- Store garbage in bear-proof containers
- Remove bird feeders from spring through fall
- Clean outdoor grills after each use
- Never leave pet food outside overnight
Shop Thanks Community
Glades Homemade Candies posted an update the day after the break-in, thanking “everyone who has shared concerns regarding the bear.”
The store reiterated its respect for local wildlife: “As Gatlinburg natives, we deeply respect and care for our bears, our natural environment, and the Great Smoky Mountains.”
Staff say they will continue working with TWRA and exploring longer-term deterrents, but they admit the cycle feels endless as long as the bear associates the shop with an easy meal.
For now, employees sweep up broken glass, replace inventory, and hope the next attempt ends with a captured-not harmed-bear.
Key Takeaways
- One determined bear has targeted the same candy shop four separate times
- Short-term deterrents like electric mats help only while installed
- TWRA urges residents and businesses to secure all food and trash
- Human-bear conflicts are rising in Tennessee’s tourist towns
