Bear breaks into Glades Homemade Candies for the fourth time in Gatlinburg

A black bear broke into Glades Homemade Candies in Gatlinburg for the fourth time, according to the candy shop's Facebook post. The business, located at 1402 East Parkway Suite 9 in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, reported that the bear "ravaged" their shop in the latest incident.

Glades Homemade Candies sits next to The Wood Whittlers along the popular arts and crafts loop that draws thousands of visitors to the area. The shop is part of the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an 8-mile trail featuring over 100 local artisans and businesses.

The repeated break-ins highlight the ongoing challenge businesses face with black bears in the Gatlinburg area. Bears are naturally drawn to food sources and sweet smells, making candy shops particularly attractive targets. Similar incidents have occurred at other food establishments throughout the Smokies, including recent bear encounters at restaurants downtown.

Bear safety in commercial areas

Wildlife officials emphasize that bears learn to associate certain locations with food rewards, which explains why this particular bear has returned to the same candy shop multiple times. Once a bear identifies a reliable food source, it will continue to visit that location until the access is eliminated or the bear is relocated.

Business owners in bear-heavy areas are encouraged to secure all food items, install bear-resistant containers, and ensure doors and windows remain locked when unattended. The National Park Service recommends that commercial establishments work with local wildlife officials to develop bear-proofing strategies.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to approximately 1,500 black bears, with the highest concentrations found in areas near Gatlinburg and the surrounding foothills. Peak bear activity typically occurs during spring and fall months when bears are actively foraging to prepare for winter hibernation.

If you're planning a trip to see these bears in action, using travel rewards points can help make your Smoky Mountain adventure more affordable..

Photo originally posted on r/gatlinburg.