BYE BYE, BEANIES? LITTLE IMPACT FELT LOCALLY

Rumors that the Beanie Baby may be on the way out had little or no impact within the Jackson business community.

While the furry critters caused traffic jams when their smaller cousins were introduced at Jackson McDonald's, the Beanies have never been a staple for local merchants.

Not that there wasn't a demand. New shipments of the stuffed toys form Ty, Inc., produced long lines here, as elsewhere.

"It was quite an ordeal," said Renee Barks of Sweetheart florist, who quit carrying Beanies several months ago. "I didn't have time for it."

Steve Logan of Truman's Antiques continues to deal indirectly with Beanies. While he has never carried them in his shop, he as dealt with Beanie Babies and may other collectibles in e-bay, a popular on-line Internet auction network.

Unlike other parts of the country, Logan reported no boost in Beanie sales after Ty., Inc. cryptically announced that "all Beanie Babies will be retired" as of Dec. 31. Some on-line marketers have reported 75 percent increases in activity. This has not been Logan's experience.

"I was on the road last week and saw a lot of them in shops with $5-6 price tags," he said. "There are 15,018 up for sale right now (noon Wednesday) on e-bay. they're not moving. I think everyone's a little cautious."

The popular stuffed animals debuted in 1993 and took the nation by storm, beginning in 1996. Creator Ty Warner opted to forgo the large national chains and offer small merchants a low-priced product that could generate sales. The resulting phenomenon baffled experts and boosted Warner to millionaire, then billionaire status.

Overnight lines, waiting for shops to open, adults fighting for Beanies, black market Beanies and an audacious end-run last year by K-Mart are all a part of the Beanie legend.

Sales had been going down steadily, however, prior to the Sept. 1 announcement. Many believe the announcement on the Ty, Inc., web site was meant to boost prices on existing Beanies.

"I could have gotten into it if I had wanted them at my shop," Logan said. "I decided to pass."

What will happen to Beanie values in the near future?

"There are two ways to look at it," Logan said. "One is that the prices will appreciate. The other is that people will panic and start selling them off."

While the Beanies' day in the sun may be nearing its end, the phenomenon has definitely etched a spot among the biggest stories of the 1990s.